John arrived in Salem in 1985 covered in bandages, because he had recently undergone plastic survery. He was suffering from total amnesia, and was called "The Pawn."
In early 1986, Marlena befriended John. Marlena tried to help John regain his memory using hypnosis, but he was never able to recover anything. John did have foggy images, but never any solid memories, that would give him a clue to his past. John was very familiar with Stefano Dimera and his dealings, which was because Stefano had been the one to take away his memory. John also had a Phoenix (Stefano's symbol) tatto, on his shoulder. This lead Marlena to believe that John may be Stefano Dimera himself. Marlena first saw the tatto while they were in West Virgina together, trying to escape Victor. During this time, as much as Marlena didn't want to admit it, she was falling in love with the man whoes identity was still unknown. Marlena and John grew closer during their adventures in West Virgina. After Marlena saw a picture of John before his plastic surgery she realized, or so she thought, that John was really her presumed dead husband, Roman Brady.
John took over the identity of Roman Brady, and fell in love with Marlena. On August 22, 1986 Roman and Marlena renewed their marriage vows.
Their happiness came to an end during late 1986 when RoJohn watched in horror as his house exploded with Marlena inside. She was presumed dead.
