However, Barnabas had a last minute fling on Martinique in 1795 with Josette's maid, Angelique. Josette was never wiser, even to her death. Angelique heard from Barnabas that he still intended to wed Josette and that Angelique was the merest of flings. This news angered Angelique and she hexed Jeremiah, placing him in her thrall so he would marry Josette instead.
On the evening of Barnabas' and Josette's wedding, under the influence of Angelique, Josette and Jeremiah giddily eloped. Later, feeling guilty or perhaps the spell's effects had weakened, they returned to the Collins' family house to face the consequences of what they had done. After Barnabas Collins learned of their marriage, he challenged Jeremiah to a duel. The family tried to dissuade them, but caught in the passion of the moment, Barnabas insisted it go forward. Jeremiah was mortally wounded; he would later succumb to his wounds at 2:00 A.M.
In the 1991 revival series Jeremiah was Barnabas's younger brother. Being hexed by Angelique and eloping with Josette plot is mostly the same but some details were altered. For example, Jeremiah and Josette did not return to home but were located by Barnabas; it was Jeremiah who challenged Barnabas to a duel; Barnabas promised not to harm Jeremiah and was going to keep his word, but Angelique had magically interfered so Jeremiah was killed in the duel.