Gerard Stiles

From The Dark Shadows Wiki

Gerard Stiles, whose real name was Ivan Miller, was a seafarer and friend of Quentin Collins. He saw Quentin and his son, Tad swept overboard during a storm and assumed they were lost. After delivering the news of their death to Quentin's wife, Samantha, he pursed her, hoping to lay claim to the Collins fortune.

Gerard became possessed by the head of Judah Zachary and eventually assumed the entire personality of the dead warlock. He engineered a plan to have Quentin Collins beheaded for witchcraft in a manner similar to Judah Zachary's own execution.

Gerard nearly succeeded, but the execution of Quentin and his cousin Desmond Collins was interrupted by Angelique Collins, masquerading as Valerie, the wife of Barnabas Collins. Angelique brought the head of Judah Zachary to the execution, and in the confusion that ensued, Desmond Collins was able to steal a pistol and shoot Gerard. As Gerard died, the head of Judah Zachary turned into a skull, showing that both Gerard and Judah were being killed. Gerard asked Quentin for forgiveness with his final breaths, and Quentin forgave his friend as Gerard died next to him.