User:AJ9/Y&R Cliff Storyline

In April 2007, a storyline occurred in which iconic character Drucilla Barber Winters (portrayed by Victoria Rowell) fell of a cliff to her death, however her body was never found. The storyline was more notable for the fact that Rowell's endless complaints (about the direction she wanted her character to go in) had led the show to kill off her, preventing her to migrate to their sister soap, The Bold and the Beautiful.

In the storyline, Phyllis Newman (Michelle Stafford) was blackmailing Sharon Newman (Sharon Case); causing argument, leading Drucilla to become involved. In a panic, Sharon and Drucilla both tumblr over the cliff into the fatal waters. Surprisingly Sharon is found dead, later revived. Dru was never found and to this day it is unknown if she could have survived any possible way, however the character is presumed dead.

Background and Rowell's exit
Rowell, who had been unhappy voiced her opinions (on multiple occasions) according to sources. Ultimately, Rowell opted to be let out of her regular contract. Months after the character dramatically exciting, Rowell had an interview with Black Press Magazine. She explained her reasonings for leaving, which caused controversy. We have the most popular daytime show and the number one show for African Americans, hands down. Yet, there are no Black writers. There are no Black producers. There are no Black directors. There are no Black make up artists. There are no Black hairstylists," Rowell said in the interview. Rowell went on to say that to get any attention or recognition, she had to write her own script for it to be comfortable with her. Rowell had pointed out signs of racism, as she was a top actress for her work on The Young and the Restless yet had failed to secure many Daytime Emmy Nominations, and never won once. Due to the ongoing popularity of the character, an online petition to bring Rowell back to the serial was created. It has garnered over 2,600 signatures to date. In 2010, it was breifly believed that Drucilla would return, however didn't.

Storyline
After the Carmen Mesta murder storyline had finally calmed down, Drucilla was no longer experiencing physiological problems and she and her husband Neil Winters were finally back to normal. Dru assisted her best friend Sharon to a shoot for NVP Retreats, as Sharon had begun to model for that company (Phyllis, Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott) and Victor Newman (Eric Braeden)'s creation). However during this same time, Phyllis (who years prior had an affair with Sharon's then-husband, Nicholas Newman (Joshua Morrow) and ruined Sharon's life) was blackmailing Sharon over her affair with Brad Carlton (Don Diamont). The trio disagreed (Sharon and Dru against Phyllis) with Phyllis' arrangement of the Photo shoot. Sharon and Phyllis engaged in secret argument right near the rim of the cliff. Phyllis threatened to tell Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman) of the affair with Brad due to the argument, and Sharon attempted to grap Phyllis mobile phone. Drucilla left a conversation with her daughter and her son in law to confront Phyllis, however once Dru became involved, the argument intensified. Sharon grabbed for Phyllis' phone, and so did Dru. All 3 women lost control of the phone, which went flying off into the air. Phyllis fell inward, away from the cliff, while Sharon and Dru fell outwards. The scene was shown in slow motion. Sharon tripped, and in turn Dru, who was closest to the edge tripped over Sharon's leg and tumbled over the cliff into the icy cold stream (which was travelling at a fast pace, and was said to be filled with rocks inside, meaning someone's could easily have brain damage) head first. Sharon clung to the cliff, and Phyllis, Daniel and Lily (Dru's daughter, who continued to scream aloud after her mother fell off the cliff) attempted to save Sharon. Sharon had one arm wrapped around a branch of a tree, and the other held by Phyllis. Phyllis attempted to grab Sharon's other arm, and pleaded with Sharon to give her it so she could be lifted up. Sharon let go of the tree, however failed to grab Phyllis' hand, and let go, falling into the rivers back-first. The remaining people travel to a cafe near by, and authorities and a search and rescue mission team is set up.

News comes in that a body has been found, and it is unidentified at first. It is revealed to be Sharon's dead body. The city briefly mourns her death however she is taken to the Hospital and revived by doctors. Dru's mission was turned into a search and retrieve.