"Days of Our Lives" fans were introduced to Carly Manning (Crystal Chappell) when Adrienne and Justin Kiriakis met her in Tahiti. The trio became fast friends and Carly told the couple that she was on the run. Justin and Adrienne convinced Carly to hide out in Salem. Carly eventually came across Bo Brady (Peter Reckell) and eventually they developed feelings for each other, although Bo was still mourning the death of his wife Hope (Kristian Alfonso). However, during a dramatic trip to Mexico, Bo and Carly held a symbolic Mayan wedding ceremony, per Soap Central.

As Bo and Carly grew closer, she confided in him about the baby she lost years before. After giving birth, Vivian Alamain (Louise Sorel) had told Carly the baby was ill and would die. However, when Bo and Carly traveled to France where Carly gave birth, it was revealed that the baby lived and was sold on the black market. Eventually, the truth came out that Vivian's adopted son, Nikki Alamain, was Carly's child, per Soaps in Depth. Vivian tried to flee Salem with Nikki, but Bo stopped her.

Vivian was eventually diagnosed with a fatal heart condition and made it her dying wish to get rid of Carly so that she wouldn't be able to raise Nikki. Vivian dosed Carly with a drug to put her into a coma and make her appear dead, then held a funeral and buried Carly alive, per Soaps.com.