General Hospital
General Hospital Pen-Pals Turn Deadly In Connection With Brutal Murder!
In one of the most disturbing stories we have read, which also reminds everyone when corresponding with people you have never met before, think twice, as this is a frightening cautionary tale!
The L.A. Times reported yesterday that, “A New York parolee accused of fatally strangling a retired teacher in Hollywood may have come west after developing a network of pen pals, some that apparently grew from a shared fondness for the long-running soap opera General Hospital. Three months after he was released from prison after serving 20 years for murder, Scott Kratlian showed up in Hollywood and allegedly strangled one of his pen pals, 82-year-old Harry Major.”
The Times also revealed, “The relationship between the convicted killer and the retired Hollywood High School teacher was probably one of many the inmate fostered over the years while imprisoned at Marcy Correctional Facility outside Syracuse, said another of Kratlian’s pen pals.”
Kratlian was part of a General Hospital fan club whose enthusiasts wrote to one another, Jason Ward said in an interview. “I don’t know why I started writing him; it was a really dumb decision,” said Ward, who connected with Kratlian through a mutual friend who received a General Hospital newsletter that went out to fans. “I only wrote to him a handful of times because he got really weird,” Ward said.
A free man after two decades behind bars, Kratlian was in Los Angeles by Feb. 1, authorities say. After months and possibly years of exchanging letters, detectives say, Kratlian went to Major’s Hollywood apartment February 10th and strangled him. Kratlian may have been looking for other former pen pals as well when he arrived in Los Angeles, said Ward.
New York officially listed Kratlian as a fugitive February 14 after police identified him as their suspect. He was arrested by an LAPD and FBI fugitive task force at a Pasadena mental health and substance abuse treatment center on February 18th.
This story is even more horrific, if you read the entire piece from the L.A Times. So, what do you think about how these two people connected and it led to murder? Does it make you think twice before corresponding with people you don’t know? Share your thoughts!
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) revealed on Thursday, the lineup of presenters for 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards taking place on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California.
The ceremony will stream live on the NATAS YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@theemmys and watch.TheEmmys.tv.
Scheduled to present from the current soaps are: Katelyn MacMullen (Willow, General Hospital), Delon de Metz (Zende, The Bold and the Beautiful), James Preston (Nick, The Bay), Paul Telfer (Xander, Days of our Lives), Tamara Tunie (Anita, Beyond the Gates) and Susan Walters (Diane, The Young and the Restless).
Photo: NATAS
In addition soap alums, Crystal Chappell, Lesli Kay, Joe Lando, Eva LaRue, who is also a nominee this year, A Martinez, Juliet Mills, and Alicia Leigh Willis, will also be on hand to present.
The ceremony which celebrates nominated lifestyle programs and dramas will also include presenters: Eva zu Beck (Superskilled with Eva zu Beck), Danielle Chang (Lucky Chow), Sunny Hostin (The View), Derek Hough (Extra), Pati Jinich (Pati’s Mexican Table), Star Jones (Divorce Court), Michael Jr. (Stand Up and Do Something), Judge Greg Mathis (Mathis Court with Judge Mathis), Keke Palmer (Glam Through the Ages), Nischelle Turner (Entertainment Tonight), and Andrew Zimmern (Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen).
The 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards will bring together an exciting mix of presenters representing the full spectrum of daytime television,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO of NATAS. “From familiar faces in daytime drama to the personalities and creative voices behind talk shows and lifestyle programming, this year’s lineup reflects the breadth of talent that makes daytime so special. We look forward to celebrating the people who continue to shape the genre.”
Matthew Hoffman (Love Island USA, Cheap A$$ Beach Houses) will serve as the ceremony’s Voice of God, bringing his signature comedic narration to the evening’s celebrations. As previously announced, Lifetime Achievement honoree Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband, Jonathan Frakes.
So, what do you think about the list of presenters for the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards? Let us know who you are looking forward to seeing via the comment section below.
General Hospital fans took to social media following the airing of the Wednesday, October 21 episode of the ABC daytime drama series. In story, Molly (Kristen Vaganos) reveals to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) that she has received an offer to join the top law firm in Chicago that practices civil law. She says it’s her dream job.
The problem Molly says is relocating from Port Charles and uprooting her life and being away from her mother, Scout and boyfriend Cody Bell (Josh Kelly). Wistful that she may lose another daughter to a long-distance situation (Kristina left a few months back to go to medical school in California), Alexis urged Molly to get Cody to go with her.
Molly still seemed concerned and has trouble committing to the idea. Alexis tells her to talk it over with Cody. Meanwhile, Cody asked Tracy (Jane Elliot) is he can have Thanksgiving off because he and Molly planned to spend Thanksgiving together with their families. After initially balking, Tracy agrees.
Courtesy/ABC
WILL MOLLY AND CODY HEAD TO CHI-TOWN?
Later, Cody shows up at Miller & Davis and the conversation turned to Thanksgiving dinner that Alexis is hosting. Molly and Cody asked her not to cook anything. Cody hugged Molly reassuring Alexis that he and Molly would take care of whatever was needed on Turkey Day.
So, this raises the question, why out of nowhere are we learning that Molly received an amazing law offer in Chicago, if the character was not being written out? If Molly leaves the canvas, would the character of Cody make his exit too?
Kristen Vaganos joined GH as a recast Molly Lansing-Davis back in September of 2023 and went on contract in August of 2024. Josh Kelly began playing Cody Bell back in June of 2022. Initial reports were that Kelly joined the show on contract and then as of June 2025 went on recurring status with the show per his choice.
Do you see a world where GH is writing out Molly and Cody? Would you be sad to see Kristen and Josh exit the soap opera? If this is not what is going on, is this just a plot point for some other story that is upcoming? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.
It’s been over two-years since his last appearance on General Hospital, now fan favorite Kin Shriner (Scott Baldwin) has taken to social media to share his thoughts on the casting of his grown-up TV daughter, Serena Baldwin now played by Kelly Kruger.
Kelly took over the role of Serena on-screen starting with the July 30, 2026 episode and has been ensconced in the storyline with her mother, Lucy Coe (Lynn Herring), in trying to win back full creative control of Deception for her.
In fact on the Monday, October 19 episode of the ABC soap opera, Serena tried to dupe Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) into signing over Michael’s (Rory Gibson) shares of the company. Jason caught on and wondered why she was doing this. She claimed she just wanted to help her mom gain creative control from Tracy (Jane Elliot) rather than full ownership, and begged Jason to keep quiet about it, which he agreed to for now.
Courtesy/ABC
WHERE IS SCOTT?
On Monday, Shriner also took to X and said, “I think Kelly Kruger is doing a great job on General Hospital, and she and Lynn Herring work well together.” That was followed by comments in his thread about the show needing to bring back Scott too.
In fact, back on August 25, Shriner also took to X with a reminder that Scott is still around and ready to come back to Port Charles, sharing, “Scotty Baldwin always fits in he just needs the right sport coat !!!!”
The last time Serena mentioned her father Scott was when Kruger made her debut and informed Lucy that her father was, “living his best life in Key West.” Meanwhile, Shriner posts on his X account continually and shared back on August 2, that it has been 49 years since he made his on-screen debut as then teenaged, Scotty Baldwin and thanked the fans for al the love and support.
So, now let us know, are you enjoying Kelly Kruger as Serena Baldwin? Do you want to see GH bring back Scott Baldwin into the story, so Serena has both her parents in Port Charles? Do you like the potential of Jason and Serena pairing? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
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2026 Daytime Emmy Awards: ‘Extra’ Partners with NATAS for Pre-Ceremony Red Carpet Stream; Week of Segments Leading to Ceremony and Post-Coverage
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Presenters Announced
Could Kristen Vaganos and Josh Kelly Be Exiting ‘General Hospital?’
Susan Flannery and Ian Buchanan Visit the Set of ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’; Daytime Emmy Winners Reflect on Show Then and Now
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Horrible, tragic news…i always believed in the death penality…had this maniac never got out of prison in the first place and given the death penality this never wouldve happened…my condolances to the victims family!!!
You got to be cautious on facebook, twitter and everywhere else! This old friend of my niece showed up at my house the other day(4 the 2nd time), obviously on something, asking for her…its been 15 years since she stayed at my house and now lives in another state. Its the 2nd time he was told she hasnt lived here in years and was told to stay off our property! I barely remember him. He asked me if i had 13 cents and if i wanted to come out and smoke a joint.(im NOT that type of person!) I sent him on his way and locked the door. Then this morning i seen him walk by my house to a nearby store. He may not do anything but i still remain cautious and dont trust him!!!
If you have not read the whole article do so you will not believe how this guy managed to get out of prison. They went around the parole board they had no intention of ever letting him out.
He shouldve been given the death penality shortly after his conviction…then he never wouldve gotten out to do this…ive seen this happened way too often…in my own town one man murdered his cousin over the last piece of pizza…several years later(he wasnt kept locked up for long) he murder another man by beating him in the head with a blunt object just to steal some tools…these crimes just sicken me!!!
The last time the state of New York executed anyone was in the 60’s now they if I read correctly abolished the death penalty. Even if you get the death penalty you sit years on death row because of all the appeals. Now the state of California will get to feed him and let him watch GH. Very sad indeed.
The is where social media is dangerous….poor innocent man, 80 years old killed by some guy that should still be in prison. The tangent we could all jump on but essentially I never understood WHY inmates are allowed computer access, TV, etc. They are in prison! PRISON! For a reason….you should not get access to the Super Bowl….you want new…read a newspaper or a book.
Anyway, thoughts and prayers to this poor mans loved ones.
This is why, when we had pen-pals and even today with social media, I warn friends and family members that they never know who’s on the other end of their messages, so please be VERY careful at all times! Don’t publicly list your address, phone numbers (I know, texting is done by phone!) or photos you don’t want your parents to see … although last night I found how easy it is for anyone with a computer to find you, even if all you have is a name and an area in which they live. It’s getting to be a very scary world, but we still trust more than we fear (which we really should be able to do)…
wolfy
This is horrible news, for Fans all over the world. Why? why, would u kill an innocent elderly.. He deserves the death penalty. Prayers go out to victims family!
No other soap features the kind of violence GH does. No doubt that someone who is off kilter would find GH to be an inspiration for how to get away with murder and still be thought of as a good guy. This is a sad and horrible situation and maybe GH could tone down the violence a little. Its not entertaining in any way.
I agree…GH needs to tone down the violence…the stories have slighly improven and could be much better, especially with less violent acts…instead of a stabbing or a shooting id settle for a couple old fashion fist fights!!!
The legal system is disgusting I used to advocate for troubled teens and I cant believe how many times I sat in a court room and watched people get sentenced to 25 years or more for stealing and child molesters, murderers less than 10. A really good friend of my families daughter was shot in the head and killed in front of her kids by her husband and he was released after only serving 4 years on top of that the judge ordered he was to get parenting time with the kids. Luckily another judge overruled it and ordered no contact. I send my prayers to the family and loved ones of the poor soul that never should have died that way. Murderers should not have contact with the outside world ever.