Every Major Walking Dead Character Who Died Before The End

Summary

• The Walking Dead
  has had a long and bloody run, with many characters meeting their demise over the course of 11 seasons.
• Throughout its run,
  The Walking Dead
  proved that no character is safe, with even the likes of Carl and Lori Grimes meeting violent ends.
• The world of
  The Walking Dead
  only got more dangerous as the show progressed, with dozens more characters dying in the final season than in the first.

The Walking Dead has killed off more characters than just about any other show out there — so, who dies in The Walking Dead? Here are all the major Walking Dead deaths that occurred in TWD seasons 1-11, including those who died in the finale. Although other TV series have featured the deaths of major characters, TheWalking Dead remains on top of that mountain of bodies, being the only series to kill off almost the entire original main cast. With the show now concluded, it’s finally possible to know exactly who doesn’t make it before the end in The Walking Dead.

The Walking Dead has killed off dozens and dozens of characters: at the hands of zombies and humans alike, and even by disease. The dead include heroes and villains, main cast members, and one-off bit players, all serving to fill the massive graveyard earned by the show. This makes sense, as a zombie apocalypse isn’t exactly the safest of situations, with potential death lurking around every corner. With that in mind, here’s the full rundown of every main character who dies in The Walking Dead between the premiere in 2010 and 2022’s TWD season 11 finale.

The Walking Dead Dead Deaths Season-By-Season At A Glance

TWD Remains One Of The Deadliest Shows On TV

There was no shortage of character deaths, both major and minor, throughout The Walking Dead, and AMC’s apocalyptic zombie-drama remains one of the deadliest shows on TV. What’s more, the number of deaths-per-season on TWD increased as the show continued. While season 1 was gruesome and features multiple fatalities, it pales in comparison to the number of on-screen kills (directly shown or implied, thanks to events like the Woodbury massacre) in later installments.

Season by season, the number of character deaths in The Walking Dead, both major, minor, and unnamed is as follows:

However, it should be noted that many of the spikes in the number of deaths in certain seasons of The Walking Dead are due to specific events, some of which occur in flashback sequences. For example, the 440 deaths in TWD season 8 are mainly attributed to the activities of Negans group, The Saviors. The Saviors massacred 130 unnamed scavengers, for example, with a further 182 perishing due to the sabotaged ammunition manufactured by Eugene.

There are also many moments when the number of deaths in a season of The Walking Dead jumps dramatically due to a specific group being wiped out, or close to. The Governer’s massacre of the citizens of Woodbury, the times that dozens of Whisperers died in swathes as the group was gradually defeated by the Survivors, and the deaths of around 40 Commonwealth residents during a single episode of season 11 are all examples of this.

As for the causes of death in The Walking Dead, Walkers are responsible for the most on-screen fatalities, accounting for over 500 throughout the show. The Militia and Saviors are among the deadliest groups, with each responsible for over 200. There are well over 1800 human deaths throughout The Walking Dead (via Undead Walking), and as for who the most dangerous TWD character is, Daryl Dixon currently has the highest direct kill-count.

While the human deaths in
The Walking Dead
are the most shocking, the show features many zombies being put out of their undead misery, with an estimated 5500 at least being terminated over the course of all 11 seasons.

The Walking Dead Season 1 Character Deaths

The First Season Of The Show Saw Suprisingly Few Characters Written Off

Season 1 of The Walking Dead introduced audiences to the post-apocalyptic universe of AMC’s hit show, as well as its central cast of characters. Events began when Rick Grimes awoke from a coma to find the world was now mostly inhabited by shambling hordes of zombies. However, despite the clearly violent world Rick emerged in, the first season of The Walking Dead featured surprisingly few main character deaths.

This can be partially explained due to the fact that the characters who died weren’t around long enough to be considered prominent names. However, even though Rick encountered the group of survivors wife Lori, son Carl, and best friend Shane were traveling in, all four were still around by the time The Walking Dead season 2 started. That’s not to say that there were no deaths in TWD season 1 though, and many named characters were killed off shortly after their introduction.

The Walking Dead Season 2 Character Deaths

Season 2 Of TWD Ramped Up The Number Of Character Deaths Significantly

Following the destruction of the CDC, The Walking Dead season 2 found Rick Grimes and his group of survivors eventually find their way to the Greene Family Farm. This was the point that TWD started ensuring viewers knew no main characters were safe, as several weren’t around by the time it concluded. Season 2 was also when The Walking Dead introduced several characters who would go on to be staples of the show, such as Maggie (Lauren Cohan).

While there are several main character deaths in season 2 of The Walking Dead to discuss, there were also plenty of minor characters the show killed off to ensure audiences could never forget just how dangerous the zombie apocalypse was in the hit AMC show. Some were incredibly hard-hitting too, such as the moment that Carol’s daughter, Sofia, was revealed to have been bitten and turned into a Walker.

Dale Horvath (Jeffrey DeMunn) – Season 2, Episode 11, “Judge, Jury And Executioner”

One of the most likable of the initial survivors, Dale fell through no real fault of his own, late in season 2. His Walking Dead death is indirectly caused by Carl, as a zombie the boy has been bothering earlier in the day manages to find his way to the farm. He isn’t bitten but gets disemboweled, which is objectively much worse. Daryl ends up shooting Dale to provide him with a merciful death, as his injuries are critical. This was one of the saddest of the early deaths on The Walking Dead.

Shane Walsh (Jon Bernthal) – Season 2, Episode 12, “Better Angels”

Fan-favorite antagonist Shane Walsh died near the end of season 2. Played by future The Punisher star Jon Bernthal, Shane began The Walking Dead as Rick Grimes’ best friend, but they end up at each other’s throats due to a mutual love for Rick’s wife Lori and a desire to lead the group. Shane attempts to kill Rick, but the latter gets the upper hand and stabs his former friend to death late in season 2. Carl then shoots Shane after he turns into a zombie. It is the first human villain’s death in the franchise.

The Walking Dead Season 3 Character Deaths

The Third Season Of The Walking Death Included A Significant Death For Rick Grimes

The Walking Dead season 3 introduced several notable characters who survived far later into the show, including the likes of Tyreese (Chad Coleman) and Michonne (Danai Gurira). It also had one of the most emotional character deaths in the entirety of The Walking Dead, and continued the show’s tone of being an incredibly dangerous one where no character was safe.

Set 8 months after the finale of season 2, most of TWD season 3 takes place in a heavily fortified prison where Rick and the remaining survivors of the group hole up, mistakenly believing that they’re safe. As expected though, this haven isn’t the bastion of freedom from Walkers that it first appeared.

Lori Grimes (Sarah Wayne Callies) – Season 3, Episode 4, “Killer Within”

Lori Grimes, the love of both her husband Rick Grimes and post-apocalyptic boyfriend Shane Walsh, meets a particularly bad fate early in season 3. Treacherous ex-con Andrew allows zombies into the prison to try and kill Rick, and during the invasion, Lori goes into labor with baby Judith. She ends up needing an emergency c-section from Maggie for the baby to survive, but the shock and blood loss kill her. Carl then shoots his mom off-screen to prevent her reanimation, making it one of the most depressing of The Walking Dead deaths in the series. Luckily, it eliminates the graphic Lori death scene from the comics.

Merle Dixon (Michael Rooker) – Season 3, Episode 15, “This Sorrowful Life”

To call Merle Dixon, expertly played by Michael Rooker, a complicated man would be an understatement. In season 1, he’s shown to be both a violent loose cannon and a virulent racist, and it’s hard to feel sorry for him when Rick leaves him to die on a rooftop. By season 3, he’s become the lead henchman for The Governor, but Merle is shown to have a conscience after all when he turns on his boss to save Michonne’s life, only to violently die in The Walking Dead. Later, zombie Merle is found and put down by his brother, a tearful Daryl.

Andrea (Laurie Holden) – Season 3, Episode 16, “Welcome To The Tombs”

Andrea’s Walking Dead death ends up being her terrible decision to get romantically involved with Philip Blake, aka The Governor. Andrea meets her maker in the final episode of season 3 after The Governor turns on her and leaves her to be eaten by the reanimated Milton. Andrea escapes her restraints but still ends up getting bitten by Milton. Andrea later shoots herself in the head with her friend Michonne by her side. This is also very different from the comics, as the TV show changes a lot about Andrea’s character and ends up making her more like Carol in the comics, switching the two characters’ personalities.

The Walking Dead Season 4 Character Deaths

Season 4 Of The Walking Dead Saw The Departure Of A Fan-Favorite Character

There was an incredibly high death-count in season 3, which included many of the inmates Rick and his group shared the prison with, as well as many of the citizens of Woodbury and the Governor’s army. Season 4 of The Walking Dead starts several months after the end of the third season, with Rick and his group still residing in the prison. Of course, the fragile peace they find themselves in is quickly disrupted, especially when the Governor returns seeking vengeance.

There are several character deaths in The Walking Dead season 4, both of main cast members and supporting names and faces. While the season perhaps didn’t contain any moments as shocking as the death of Lori, or mass slaughter at the scale of the fate of the citizens of Woodbury, the post-apocalyptic world was no-less dangerous. Of particular note is that, during season 4, several minor characters were killed by a fatal flu, highlighting that Walkers and other survivors weren’t the only threat to the lives of Rick’s group.

Hershel Greene (Scott Wilson) – Season 4, Episode 8, “Too Far Gone”

Hershel was at odds with members of Rick’s group at first, due to his attachment to the walkers residing in his barn. Once everyone had fled the barn for the prison though, Hershel evolved into a father figure for the survivors at large, and also a close mentor for Rick as he attempted to lead the group to prosperity. That was until he was violently decapitated by The Governor halfway through season 4. It was tough for Hershel, who dies in The Walking Dead right in front of his daughters Maggie and Beth.

The Governor (David Morissey)- Season 4, Episode 8, “Too Far Gone”

When it comes to a villain who dies in The Walking Dead, The Governor, Philip Blake is The Walking Dead‘s first real main antagonist, a contemptible person the survivors could truly unite against. The only one who gravitates to him is Andrea, and this is despite seeing what he has done to the people in his community. In the same episode in which he killed Hershel, The Governor was stabbed to near-death by Michonne’s sword, then later shot in the head by brief romantic interest Lilly Chambler to finish the job. It was a fan-favorite ending for a truly evil character.

The Walking Dead Season 5 Character Deaths

TWD Season 5 Contained Four Incredibly Significant Characters Written Off

Once they have to leave the sanctuary of the prison, Rick and his group of survivors find themselves in the community of Terminus, which they first learn of in season 4. Rick sees this as a potential new home as it’s already an established settlement, though quickly realizes upon arriving that the community comes with its own dangers — including a cult of cannibals who are just as deadly as the Walkers.

This turn of events leads to several incredibly memorable and heartbreaking character deaths in the 5th season of The Walking Dead. However, by the season’s end, the group discovers the walled-off Alexandria Safe Zone, a location that would be increasingly significant as the show progressed.

Bob Stookey (Lawrence Gilliard Jr.) — Season 5, Episode 3, “Four Walls And A Roof”

Bob wasn’t much help when he first joined Rick’s group back in The Walking Dead season 4, as he was struggling with alcoholism and depression related to being the sole survivor of his prior post-apocalyptic communities. His outlook improves after making it out of the prison alive, and even more during his romantic relationship with Sasha. Unfortunately, his life ends badly, first being bitten by a zombie, then captured by the cannibals from Terminus and having his leg eaten, then finally being put down before reanimation by Tyreese as a devastated Sasha looks on.

Gareth (Andrew J. West) – Season 5, Episode 3, “Four Walls And A Roof”

The leader of Terminus, Gareth promoted his community as a sanctuary, but it wasn’t, as the residents had been driven to cannibalism after a traumatic experience. For a time, Rick’s group is held hostage in Terminus, but they escape. Gareth gets a measure of revenge by eating Bob’s leg, but an attempted ambush at Father Gabriel’s church goes awry, with Rick getting the upper hand, andthen hacking Gareth to death with a machete. Many of the people Rick killed may arguably not have deserved it, but in Gareth’s case, his Walking Dead death very much fit the crime.

Beth Greene (Emily Kinney) – Season 5, Episode 8, “Coda”

Beth Greene, Hershel’s daughter, and Maggie’s sister, becomes a polarizing character as her time on the show goes on. She even appears to be making a possible romantic connection with Daryl Dixon, but everything falls apart during season 5 after Beth is kidnapped and taken to a hospital. It is there that she finds survivors who demand servitude in exchange for a place to live safely. While attempting to kill her captor, the controlling cop Dawn, Beth is shot in the head. Beth’s sudden death causes Daryl to kill Dawn in response, but he is immediately overcome by grief afterward.

Tyreese Williams (Chad Coleman) – Season 5, Episode 9, “What Happened And What’s Going On”

While Tyreese is a popular character in both The Walking Dead comic book and TV series, many people feel he wasn’t used to his full potential onscreen, despite a game performance from actor Chad Coleman. In the comics, he was a powerful fighter who battled alongside Rick to protect people, but that role is taken by Daryl on TV. Instead, Tyreese is a pacifist on the TV show. Tyreese, who dies in The Walking Dead midway through season 5, is bitten by two walkers, one of whom is Noah’s little brother. Michonne amputates his arm to try and prevent the infection from spreading, but he later dies of blood loss.

The Walking Dead Season 6 Character Deaths

Season 6 Of TWD Is Violent But Features Surprisingly Few Named Characters Being Killed

The Walking Dead season 6 may include a large number of deaths compared to some others, though relatively few of these are members of Rick’s group. Taking place almost directly after the events of season 5, the first half of the sixth installment of TWD finds Rick and his survivors existing in relative peace within the walls of the Alexandria Safe Zone. While they struggle to assimilate into the community, they manage to successfully navigate their way through several dangers including a vast heard of Walkers.

However, the second half of the season takes a much darker turn, and sets up the dangers that await in season 7. While Rick and the residents of Alexandria meet the Hilltop Colony, a friendly community that also becomes incredibly important as the show progresses, they also learn of a new threat — The Saviors.

Jessie Anderson (Alexandra Breckenridge) – Season 6, Episode 9, “No Way Out”

Jessie Anderson arrives after Rick’s group reaches Alexandria. Rick kills her abusive husband Pete, and the two later embark on a romantic relationship. Unfortunately, things end horrifyingly, after a swarm of walkers invades the town. Jessie’s son Sam loses it, leading to the walkers eating him, all while Rick and Carl try to help lead the citizens of Alexandria through the hoard and to safety. As a grieving mother, Jessie goes into shock and the zombies devour her next. This leaves Jessie’s older son, Ron, as the last family member alive, so he pulls a gun to shoot Carl. Michonne stabs him first, but Ron shoots out Carl’s eye as he dies.

Deanna Monroe (Tovah Feldshuh) – Season 6, Episode 10, “The Next World”

Thankfully, Deanna doesn’t live long enough to see her son get gutted, as she is bitten when the zombie horde invades Alexandria. Months later, she’s found wandering the woods as one of the undead, and Spencer ends her for good. Before her death, Deanna passes the leadership of Alexandria to Rick, accidentally causing the conflict that would get her son killed. However, unlike her son, Deanna is a good woman and when she ends up bitten, she does it protecting her town and dies a hero.

The Walking Dead Season 7 Character Deaths

The Introduction Of Negan Leads To Some Of The Walking Dead’s Most Emotional Deaths

Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s Negan is introduced in the finale of season 6, and in the TWD season 7 premiere directly causes two of the most impactful character deaths in the entire show. Season 7 is one of the most violent seasons in The Walking Dead, and also one of the first where the dynamic shifts to focus on the politics and relationships between various communities during the zombie apocalypse rather than the trials and tribulations of a single band of survivors.

Negan and The Saviors are the antagonists throughout, and shortly after his introduction, the fan-favorite antagonist manages to have Rick Grimes and the rest of the Alexandria Sage Zone on their knees. The only hope of overcoming this new threat is to strike an alliance with the Hilltop Colony, The Kingdom, Oceanside, and the Scavengers — a feat Rick quickly finds is easier said than done.

Abraham Ford (Michael Cudlitz) – Season 7, Episode 1, “The Day Will Come When You Won’t Be”

While his Walking Dead death was overshadowed by Glenn’s in the same episode, Abraham is one of the most sorely missed TWD characters who died. A tough guy with a heart of gold, Abraham Ford is another fan-favorite who meets a horrifically awful demise, being the first onscreen victim of Negan’s signature weapon, Lucille, before Glenn’s murder. This emotionally destroys his current girlfriend Sasha and ex-partner Rosita, and it angers Daryl so much that he punches Negan, indirectly causing Glenn’s death. Abraham taunts Negan to the end. Abraham appears several times in flashbacks, and actor Michael Cudlitz directed episodes of The Walking Dead.

Glenn Rhee (Steven Yeun) – Season 7, Episode 1, “The Day Will Come When You Won’t Be”

Glenn, another extremely likable character in The Walking Dead, managed to hang onto his humanity a lot longer than most others. He also forms a sweet couple with Maggie, and the two eventually marry, before preparing to have a child. That is until Negan showed up, and smashed Glenn’s head over and over with Lucilleto kick off season 7. It is perhaps the show’s most infamous The Walking Dead death ever. It’s a murder that still resonates in The Walking Dead: Dead City, as a reformed Negan and Glenn’s wife Maggie struggle to coexist.

Spencer Monroe (Austin Nichols) – Season 7, Episode 8, “Hearts Still Beating”

One of a handful of former characters referenced in The Walking Dead finale, Spencer is the treacherous son of Deanna Monroe, Alexandria’s original creator and leader. Following her death, Spencer makes it his mission to oust Rick from power, feeling he can do better. However, his attempt to persuade Negan to kill Rick and put Spencer in charge backfires, as Negan isn’t impressed by Spencer’s cowardly and backhanded approach. Negan guts Spencer, and Rick puts him down after reanimation. He is a character who only survives as long as he did thanks to his mother being in power.

Sasha Williams (Sonequa Martin-Green)

Season 7, Episode 16, “The First Day Of The Rest Of Your Life”

Sasha had a longer tenure on The Walking Dead than her brother, Tyreese, and she became a favorite of many. She tries to assassinate Negan after his murder of her boyfriend, Abraham, but is caught and offered a chance to join the Saviors. She instead takes a suicide pill crafted by Eugene, and by the time she is transported to Alexandria inside a coffin as part of an ambush,she turns into a zombie, surprising Negan. Seeing Sasha zombified is a sad moment, but the fact her last act gets one over on Negan makes it also a slightly triumphant one. She is later put down by close friend Maggie.

The Walking Dead Season 8 Character Deaths

Season 8 Featured An Incredible Loss For Rick Grimes

The Walking Dead season 8 continued the rebellion against The Saviors, building on the foundations laid by the previous installment. Under the guidance of Rick, the various communities forced to pay tribute to the tyrannical Negan banded together to prepare for all-out war. Negan’s group proved to be as lethal as ever though and, as a result, over 400 human characters lost their lives during the 8th season of TWD, making it the bloodiest in the show’s run.

Rick and the various communities are eventually successful, though not without suffering many significant losses along the way — especially Rick himself, who loses his last remaining tie to the pre-apocalypse world he knew. Season 8 also marked Maggie’s ascension from a simple survivor traveling alongside Rick to a leader in her own right, though Rick’s decision to spare Negan’s life causes a significant rift in the relations between their communities.

Carl Grimes (Chandler Riggs) – Season 8, Episode 9, “Honor”

Carl’s death shocked comic book fans. Carl started The Walking Dead as the annoying kid who had to be watched all the time, lest he do something stupid or dangerous. As Carl gets older, he rapidly matures into a teen warrior, and later a moral compass his dad can look to when he starts to stray too far into cruelty. Even Negan liked and respected him. Sadly, Carl is bitten by a zombie while escorting Siddiq to Alexandria during season 8, then later shoots himself in the head after saying goodbye to Rick and his surrogate mother, Michonne.

Simon (Steven Ogg) – Season 8, Episode 15, “Worth”

Despite appearing somewhat affably evil at times, Simon is one of the most dangerous Saviors under Negan’s command, but it’s when he eventually tries to mount a coup against his boss that Simon meets his grisly fate. Simon’s attempt is foiled by Dwight, who informs Negan of the plan. Negan and Simon then fought one-on-one for leadership, with Negan strangling Simon, and then leaving him to rot as a walker on the Sanctuary fence. Simon’s ego truly gets the best of him, as challenging Negan is never going to end well, and he’d personally seen his boss isn’t a man to be trifled with.

The Walking Dead Season 9 Character Deaths

The Threat Of The Whisperers Leads To Several Shocking Character Exits

The Whisperer’s may not have been as deadly as the Saviors when it came to the number of deaths caused on The Walking Dead, but they were arguably much more disturbing, both for the characters in the show and audiences alike. Season 9 of TWD takes place after the various community’s war against the Saviors, and the emotional ripples of the conflict are still very much being felt.

There is also a time-jump midway through season 9, with the timeline advancing six years following Rick Grimes leaving the show. It’s shortly after this that The Whisperers are first introduced. Viewers get to meet Alpha, their chilling leader, for the first time, and Negan also shows his first signs of redemption. This season also featured The Walking Dead fair episode, “The Calm Before”, which saw 10 minor characters killed by Alpha with their heads placed on pikes.

Gregory (Xander Berkeley) – Season 9, Episode 1, “Knots Untie”

One of the most unlikable minor villains in The Walking Dead, Gregory is Hilltop’s original leader. He becomes jealous when Maggie and other members of Rick’s group rapidly become more trusted by his people. Gregory loses a leadership vote and then convinces a grieving Earl to try and kill Maggie. Earl fails, as does Gregory himself. For that betrayal,Maggie has Gregory publicly executed by hanging. Some argue that it is an undeservedly harsh fate, but in the post-apocalypse, the consequences for misbehavior are often steep.

Paul “Jesus” Rovia (Tom Payne) – Season 9, Episode 11, “Evolution”

Jesus’ death is one of the biggest on The Walking Dead since the compassionate character had quickly become a fan-favorite. That’s why it came as such a shock when he was suddenly stabbed through the heart by a Whisperer midway through season 9. In the comics, Jesus lives to the end as one of the most important characters in the franchise. However, while showing his true worth on the show, Jesus didn’t get the screen time he deserved, and actor Tom Payne was ready to move on. On the show, Aaron, who had become his friend and potential lover,was forced to destroy his brain to prevent reanimation.

Tara Chambler (Alanna Masterson) – Season 9, Episode 15, “The Calm Before”

Tara started at odds with Rick’s group, as her family aligned with The Governor after meeting him under a different identity. However, they eventually come to their senses, and Tara subsequently becomes a valued member of the community. That is until the penultimate episode of season 9, in which Alpha and the Whisperers kidnap and murder multiple survivors during The Fair, leaving their heads on pikes for the rest to find. Tara is the most popular survivor who dies in The Walking Dead at that moment.

Enid (Katelyn Nacon) – Season 9, Episode 15, “The Calm Before”

Enid took a while to warm up to Rick’s group because she was traumatized by being the sole survivor of her family. She ends up forming a close bond with Carl and becomes a valued member of the community. She takes up medicine after Rick defeats Negan, learns from Siddiq, and forms a new relationship with Alden, a reformed Savior. Sadly, her story ends very shortly after that, during the Whisperer’s War. Enid’s head ends up on a pike alongside Tara, thanks to Alpha making a point to the survivors.

The Walking Dead Season 10 Character Deaths

The Whisperers Force The Communities To Go To War Once Again

Season 10 of The Walking Dead kicks off several months after Alpha’s massacre at the fair. It is an especially violent and disturbing season due to the continued presence of The Whisperers. There are several main characters who meet their end in the 10th season, though, thankfully, the united communities are eventually able to put an end to Alpha and the Whisperers once and for all.

This is also the season that Negan begins to truly redeem himself, proving an invaluable asset in the fight against The Whisperers. Maggie continues to be distrustful of him, however, and many of the events that transpire between them during season 10 set the stage for their uneasy relationship in The Walking Dead: Dead City.

Brandon Carver (Alex Meraz) – Season 10, Episode 5, “What It Always Is”

After Leah takes control of the group, Brandon is boosted to second-in-command. Brandon joins the other Reapers in trying to hunt Maggie down through Meridian’s school. Though he corners her, she is joined by Negan, Elijah, and Daryl, who capture him. Brandon manages to escape capture but is shot in the leg by Gabriel. Maggie tries to shoot him but realizes she is out of ammunition. He manages to grab a knife, but Maggie kicks it from his hands and delivers a fatal blow using one of Elijah’s kamas, avenging Josephine’s death.

Siddiq (Avi Nash) – Season 10, Episode 7, “Open Your Eyes”

Another fan-favorite who dies in The Walking Dead, Siddiq becomes Alexandria’s doctor after Carl brings him back to town. Carl gets bit in the process and ultimately dies, but Siddiq does his best to make Carl’s death not be in vain, and later conceives a child with Rosita. While working at the Hilltop, and struggling with being the lone survivor and witness to Alpha’s massacre, Siddiq is betrayed by fellow doctor Dante, andkilled by the Whisperer spy. Gabriel later kills Dante in retaliation, but it’s still sad that Siddiq’s child never gets to meet his biological father.

Alpha (Samantha Morton) – Season 10, Episode 12, “Walk With Us”

Alpha’s Walking Dead death proves to be one of the most satisfying in The Walking Dead‘s long history, following her murder of so many characters at The Fair. It takes a while to happen, but Negan gains Alpha’s trust and then uses it against her to orchestrate her demise by decapitation. Negan then presents Alpha’s head to Carol, earning a measure of revenge for Carol’s adopted son Henry’s death. Oddly, Negan and Alpha seem to form a genuine bond along the way, with the former arch-villain feeling a bit bad after carrying out his mission. Still, killing Alpha helps Negan further ingratiate himself to the group he once threatened, even if it seems Maggie never truly accepts his presence.

Beta (Ryan Hurst) – Season 10, Episode 16, “A Certain Doom”

Beta is thrust into the role of Whisperer leader once Negan kills Alpha. He isn’t thrilled about losing her because he cares about her quite a bit. As revenge, Beta leads a horde filled with both Whisperers and Walkers toward the building Negan and Daryl are holed up in. Beta attempts to kill Negan, but Daryl stabs him through the eyes, and then the Walkers move in and devour him. As he dies, The Walking Dead reveals Beta’s face, and Negan recognizes him as a formerly famous musician, Half Moon.

The Walking Dead Season 11 Character Deaths

The Final Season Of TWD Was Also One Of Its Bloodiest

The final season of the show, The Walking Dead season 11, didn’t disappoint when it came to character deaths. Several main characters didn’t live to see past the season 11 finale, and it was in this season that The Commonwealth — a long-teased antagonist group first mentioned several seasons prior —showed just how deadly they truly were.

Unlike the disturbing cult-like Whisperers, or the sadistic and ruthless Saviors, The Commonwealth were a highly-organized militaristic group with the skills and resources available to force other communities into submission and compliance. The Reapers were also a key antagonist in season 11, ensuring the survivors of Hilltop, Alexandria, and various other communities had one final reminder of just how fragile their safety and peace actually were.

Gage (Jackson Pace) – Season 11, Episode 2, “Acheron, Part 2”

Former antagonist and Hilltop resident Gage received mixed audience reactions, and his death went down similarly to many other Walking Dead deaths. After being separated from Roy, he tries to reconnect with the rest of the group but leaves the train door behind him open. Walkers start crawling inside. Alden and Negan consider saving him, butMaggie says it’s not worth the risk. Gage pleads for his life to Maggie, and she apologizes that she can’t save him, so he resorts to calling her a liar before stabbing himself twice in the heart and being devoured by walkers. Gabriel later shoots zombified Gage in the head to put him down.

Pope (Ritchie Coster) – Season 11, Episode 8, “For Blood”

The leader of the Reapers, before his death, Pope committed some major atrocities as the early Walking Dead season 11 antagonist. While Pope is with Daryl and Leah, he tells the latter to secure the hwacha. As Pope tells Ancheta to launch the hwacha, Leah reminds him that this action will also kill many of their people. He tells her that it’s their time to die, and as Ancheta lights the fuse, Leah stabs him in the neck. Daryl tactfully throws his knife at Ancheta and puts out the fuse, and as Pope tries to crawl away, Leah stabs him again, this time killing him.

Alden (Callan McAuliffe) – Season 11, Episode 9, “No Other Way”

Alden faces quite the journey in The Walking Dead, starting as a worker for the Saviors before defecting to the Militia. Throughout his run, he works as a blacksmith for Hilltop, begins a relationship with Enid, is on the Hilltop council, and adopts Adam Sutton. Unfortunately, Alden’s death occurs offscreen, but it can easily be surmised what happened. After being wounded by Bossie, he’s found by a Reaper, who breaks his legs and slits his throat. However, somehow, he manages to kill the Reaper at the same time. Maggie finds the zombified Alden in the churchand tearfully shoots him in the head.

Sebastian Milton (Teo Rapp-Olsson) – Season 11, Episode 18, “A New Deal”

This is The Walking Dead death in season 11 fans were waiting for. The spoiled and pompous Sebastian Milton got the fate that he deserved, which is much better than his fate in the comic books. After being outed by Eugene to the people of the Commonwealth for his honest opinion about his people, the ten reanimated janitors begin to attack the Commonwealth citizens. He chases Max down for her betrayal and tries to feed her to a walker. It’s at that point that Eugene comes in clutch and shoves the walker off of Max, only to have it land on Sebastian. He’s promptly devoured and audiences rejoice.

Lance Hornsby (Josh Hamilton) – Season 11, Episode 20, “What’s Been Lost”

The former Deputy Governor of the Commonwealth dies in The Walking Dead season 11 episode “What’s Been Lost.” After Lance gives Carol and Daryl the information that they need to find their missing friends, the pair decide to exile him. Unfortunately, Lance sees this as a fate worse than death, as he rightly believes he won’t survive out there in the wild. He grabs a gun from the Commonwealth Jee, but Carol shoots him in the neck with an arrow. She and Daryl leave Lance to choke on his own blood, making a fitting end for the manipulative character. He finally shows up as a walker in The Walking Dead series finale.

Jules (Alex Sgambati) – Season 11, Episode 24, “Rest In Peace”

Oceanside resident and Luke’s love interest, Jules sadly dies in The Walking Dead series finale, alongside Luke and Rosita. Pamela Milton brings a herd of walkers into the Commonwealth and everyone ends up fighting for their lives. While fighting off walkers in the crowd as she and the rest of the group try to get to safety. In all the chaos, Jules is bitten on the arm by a walker and devoured. What’s even sadder is that Luke witnesses her death, making it a heartbreaking moment for him before his death.

Luke (Dan Fogler) – Season 11, Episode 24, “Rest In Peace”

Like Jules and Rosita, Luke also dies in The Walking Dead series finale, and his demise is tragic. Like Jules, he is taken over by the walker hoard and bitten on the leg. His friends manage to pull him to safety while he is screaming after Jules and he is taken to the hospital. Magna, Yumiko, Connie, and Kellytry to amputate his leg to stop the virus. However, he bleeds out. In his final moments, he gives them a harmonica, asking them to “keep the music going.” Amid this tragic moment, Magna stabs her friend in the head to prevent him from reanimating.

Rosita Espinosa (Christian Serratos) – Season 11, Episode 24, “Rest In Peace”

While trying to rescue the children at the Children’s Home from the hoard that Pamela brought into the Commonwealth, Rosita Espinosa, Eugene, and Gabriel make a plan to escape by strapping the babies to themselves. She finds a pipe to climb out an open window, and though Eugene and Gabriel make it up without trouble, she is pulled down by walkers.

She escapes the walkers, but not without getting bitten. She later reveals to Eugene she has been bitten, and spends her remaining hours with Coco, Eugene, and the rest of the group at the celebratory dinner. She is put to bed by Maggie, Carol, Daryl, and Gabriel before succumbing to her injuries, making Rosita the final major character who dies in The Walking Dead.

Daryl Killed 72 People In The Walking Dead, Making Him The Character With The Highest Kill Count

When it comes to who dies in The Walking Dead, it was a fan favorite who committed the most murders on the show. This also wasn’t a villain, as The Governor only had 20 kills, Alpha had 21, and Negan stopped at 45. It almost seems strange that one of the last big bads in the show before The Commonwealth storyline started only killed one more person than The Governor, even though she was around longer and seemed more cunning. She also didn’t even hold a candle to someone who practiced peace for a long time in Morgan Jones, who killed 31 people.

It was Daryl Dixon who caused the most Walking Dead deaths when it came to ending the lives of living people. Carol was up there, with 52 deaths, many of those when she went on a rampage with some high-powered weapons. She also had the saddest kill with little Lizzie. Rick Grimes, who got very violent over the years, had 54 kills. However, Daryl topped the list with 72 total kills since he first appeared on the show, and over 20 of those kills came in the final season of The Walking Dead.

• The Walking Dead

  Release Date:

  2010-10-31

  Cast:

  Steven Yeun, Andrew Lincoln, Chandler Riggs, Laurie Holden, Jeffrey DeMunn, Sarah Wayne Callies, Melissa McBride, Norman Reedus, Jon Bernthal, Iron E. Singleton

  Genres:

  Horror, Thriller, Drama

  Seasons:

  11

  Story By:

  Tony Moore, Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard

  Network:

  AMC

  Streaming Service(s):

  Netflix, AMC Plus

  Directors:

  Greg Nicotero

  Showrunner:

  Frank Darabont, Angela Kang, Scott M. Gimple, Glen Mazzara

  Franchise(s):

  The Walking Dead