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There are TV series with high body counts, and then there’s The Walking Dead. Much like the long-running comic series it’s based on, the AMC drama isn’t afraid to kill off its main characters. Simply put, nobody is safe. In fact, since dead people can turn into zombies, this means that some characters die twice. What else would you expect from a zombie apocalypse?

Through its 11 seasons, The Walking Dead killed off a lot of characters. We thought it might be fun to give a rundown on how each of them died. Who knows, maybe it’ll give us some good tips for how to survive a zombie apocalypse if it ever happens to us.

A lot of people have died on The Walking Dead, so to keep this list manageable, we’re only using main characters. Some of us may have differing opinions on who qualifies as a main character. For a large ensemble show like The Walking Dead with a rotating cast, it’s up for debate. In other words, sorry fans of Ed Peletier or Lizzie Samuels, but they don’t rise to the status of main characters. This list only includes main character deaths on The Walking Dead, not spinoffs like Fear the Walking Dead or The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live.

With that, this should be obvious, but spoilers ahead!

How did Sofia Peletier from The Walking Dead die?

Episode: Offscreen sometime after the events of season two episode one ‘What Lies Ahead’

Cause of death: Sofia’s death occurred offscreen, so it’s unknown how she died. When she is found in Hershel’s barn, she is a walker with a bite mark on her shoulder. From this, we can presume that she had been bitten by a walker and died from the infection.

Did she turn?: Sofia turned into a walker after being bitten on her shoulder. Rick Grimes shoots Sofia’s reanimated corpse, ending her suffering.

How did Dale Horvath from The Walking Dead die?

Episode: Season two episode 11 ‘Judge, Jury, Executioner’

Cause of death: Ambushed by a walker. Dale is able to avoid being bit, but the walker rips open his stomach. Realizing Dale is doomed and wanting to end his suffering, Daryl Dixon shoots him in the head as an act of mercy.

Did he turn?: Daryl shot Dale in the head before he could turn.

How did Shane Walsh from The Walking Dead die?

Episode: Season two episode 12 ‘Better Angels’

Cause of death: Stabbed by Rick Grimes after a tense confrontation.

Did he turn?: Shane turned almost immediately after his death. Carl shoots Shane’s reanimated corpse, killing him for a second time.

How did Theodore Douglas aka T-Dog from The Walking Dead die?

Episode: Season three episode four ‘Killer Within’

Cause of death: T-Dog is devoured by a horde of walkers who break into the survivors’ prison base.

Did he turn?: No, T-Dog didn’t turn. His body was torn to shreds by the walkers, leaving little behind.

How did Lori Grimes from The Walking Dead die?

Episode: Season three episode 4 ‘Killer Within’

Cause of death: While giving birth to Judith, Lori quickly realized there were complications. In order to save her baby’s life, Lori told Maggie Greene to perform an emergency C-section. While the C-section saved the baby, the blood loss ended Lori’s life. Lori had been aware of this risk and accepted her fate.

Did she turn?: No, Carl Grimes shot Lori in the head shortly after her death. Carl couldn’t stand the thought of his mother turning into a walker and believed he should be the one to do the deed.

How did Merle Dixon from The Walking Dead die?

Episode: Season three episode 15 ‘This Sorrowful Life’

Cause of death: Shot in the heart by the Governor after being captured.

Did he turn?: Yes, Merle turned. Merle’s brother Daryl discovered the animated corpse and tearfully stabbed him in the head. It was one of the most heartbreaking scenes of the series.

How did Andrea Harrison from The Walking Dead die?

Episode: Season three episode 16 ‘Welcome to the Tombs’

Cause of death: Andrea was bitten on the neck by a walker who was once her friend, Milton. Realizing that she was infected, Andrea used Rick’s gun to kill herself.

Did she turn?: No, Andrea shot herself in the head so she wouldn’t turn.

How did Hershel Greene from The Walking Dead die?

Episode: Season four episode eight ‘Too Far Gone’ (human death) and Season four episode nine ‘After’ (walker death)

Cause of death: The Governor captured Hershel and used one of Michonne’s katanas to sever his head.

Did he turn?: Although he was beheaded, Hershel still turned because his brain wasn’t damaged. Hershel’s severed head became a walker, but was put down by Michonne as an act of mercy.

How did Phillip Blake aka the Governor from The Walking Dead die?

Episode: Season four episode eight ‘Too Far Gone’

Cause of death: Michonne stabs the Governor with one of her swords but decides to leave him behind to die a slow, painful death. When Lilly Chambler comes across the wounded Governor, she shoots him in the head.

Did he turn?: No, the Governor didn’t turn because Lilly shot him in the head.

How did Bob Stookey from The Walking Dead die?

Episode: Season five episode three ‘Four Walls and a Roof’

Cause of death: Bob was bitten by a walker during a supply run but managed to get away. Over the next day the infection spreads through Bob’s system until he dies. Tyreese then stabs Bob’s head, so he won’t become a walker.

Did he turn?: No, Tyreese stabbed Bob in the head, preventing him from becoming a walker.

How did Gareth from The Walking Dead die?

Episode: Season five episode three ‘Four Walls and a Roof’

Cause of death: Rick chops Gareth into pieces with a machete after capturing him.

Did he turn?: Rick didn’t leave enough pieces for Gareth to turn.

How did Beth Greene from The Walking Dead die?

Episode: Season five episode eight ‘Coda’

Cause of death: Beth was shot by Dawn during a hostage exchange gone wrong.

Did she turn?: Since she was shot in the head, Beth did not become a walker.

How did Tyreese Williams from The Walking Dead die?

Episode: Season five episode nine ‘What Happened and What’s Going On’

Cause of death: Tyreese is bitten on the arm by walkers. Michonne amputates Tyreese’s arm, hoping it will stop the infection and save his life. Unfortunately, he dies from blood loss.

Did he turn?: After Tyreese dies, Michonne stabs him in the head to prevent him from turning.

How did Jessie Anderson from The Walking Dead die?

Episode: Season six episode nine ‘No Way Out’

Cause of death: While sneaking through a walker horde, Jessie’s son Sam became paralyzed with fear, causing a walker to latch onto him. As her son was being ripped apart, Jessie stopped and became hysterical, causing the walkers to swarm her as well.

Did she turn?: Jessie’s entire body was ripped apart by the walker horde, preventing her corpse from being reanimated.

How did Deanna Moore from The Walking Dead die?

Episode: Season six episode eight ‘Start to Finish’ (human death) and Season six episode 10 ‘The Next World’ (walker death)

Cause of death: Deanna is bitten by a walker after a herd breaches Alexandria. Knowing the infection will kill her soon, Deanna defiantly kills as many walkers as she can before she turns.

Did she turn?: Deanna turns into a walker and escapes Alexandria. She is eventually found by her son Spencer, who stabs her in the back of the head.

How did Abraham Ford from The Walking Dead die?

Episode: Season seven episode one ‘The Day Will Come When You Won’t Be’

Cause of death:  A madman named Negan captured Rick’s group and lined them up. Negan played the game Eeny, Meenie, Miney, Moe to select who would be executed, and Abraham was selected. Negan proceeded to bash Abraham’s skull in with his barbed wire baseball bat.

Did he turn?: No, he didn’t turn. Abraham’s brain was mashed potatoes by the time Negan was done.

How did Glenn Rhee from The Walking Dead die?

Episode: Season seven episode one ‘The Day Will Come When You Won’t Be’

Cause of death: Glenn and the rest of Rick’s group were imprisoned by Negan. After a violent outburst from Daryl, Negan decided to kill Glenn in order to remind the group of his dominance. Using his barbed wire baseball bat, Negan struck Glenn in the head multiple times, until his skull was a bloody pool.

Did he turn?: No, Glenn didn’t turn. When Negan bashes your head in, there isn’t much leftover.

How did Spencer Monroe from The Walking Dead die?

Episode: Season seven episode eight ‘Hearts Still Beating’

Cause of death: Negan stabs Spencer with a knife after a tense conversation about Rick.

Did he turn?: Spencer turns into a walker shortly after his death, and Rick immediately uses his knife to stab him in the head, putting him down for good.

How did Sasha Williams from The Walking Dead die?

Episode: Season seven episode 16 ‘The First Day of the Rest of Your Life’

Cause of death: While imprisoned by Negan, Sasha took a poison capsule. This served two purposes. The first was preventing Negan from using her to attack her friends, and the second was hoping that her reanimated corpse would attack and kill Negan.

Did she turn?: Sasha turns into a walker. Maggie stabs Sasha’s reanimated corpse in the head.

How did Carl Grimes from The Walking Dead die?

Episode: Season eight episode nine ‘Honor’

Cause of death: Carl is bitten by a walker and becomes infected. Realizing that he’s a goner, Carl chooses to shoot himself in the head to prevent reanimation.

Did he turn?: No, Carl shot himself in the head so he wouldn’t reanimate.

How did Simon from The Walking Dead die?

Episode: Season eight episode 15 ‘Worth’ (human death) and season eight episode 16 ‘Wrath’ (walker death)

Cause of death: Simon tries to lead a coup against Negan, but it doesn’t go well. Negan strangles Simon during an intense battle, killing him.

Did he turn?: Yes, Simon turned into a walker. His reanimated corpse is killed offscreen when the Sanctuary walkers are purged.

How did Gregory from The Walking Dead die?

Episode: Season nine episode one ‘A New Beginning’

Cause of death: Gregory tries to have Maggie killed but fails. As punishment, Maggie executes Gregory by hanging him.

Did he turn?: Daryl stabs Gregory’s head after he dies, preventing him from reanimating.

How did Paul Rovia aka Jesus from The Walking Dead die?

Episode: Season nine episode eight ‘Evolution’

Cause of death: Jesus battles a being who he believes is a walker. During the confrontation, the attacker stabs Jesus and whispers in his ear, revealing that he’s a human disguised as a walker. Jesus dies immediately.

Did he turn?: No, Aaron stabs Jesus in the head to prevent reanimation.

How did Tara Chambler from The Walking Dead die?

Episode: Season nine episode 15 ‘The Calm Before’

Cause of death: Tara’s death occurs offscreen. She is executed by a rival group known as the Whisperers. Tara’s friends learn of her fate when they find her decapitated head on a wooden pike.

Did she turn?: Tara’s decapitated head reanimated, but it was put down offscreen.

How did Enid from The Walking Dead die?

Episode: Season nine episode 15 ‘The Calm Before’

Cause of death: Alpha decapitates Enid and places her head on a wooden pike.

Did she turn?: Like Tara, Enid’s decapitated head reanimated, but it was put down offscreen.

How did Siddiq from The Walking Dead die?

Episode: Season 10 episode seven ‘Open Your Eyes’

Cause of death: Siddiq is strangled during an intense confrontation with Dante.

Did he turn?: Yes, Siddiq turns. Rosita stabs him in the head in order to prevent him from hurting Coco.

How did Alpha from The Walking Dead die?

Episode: Season 10 episode 12 ‘Walk With Us’ (human death) and Season 10 episode 14 ‘Look at the Flowers’ (walker death)

Cause of death: Negan slashes Alpha in the throat, killing her.

Did she turn?: Yes, Alpha turned. Her head was removed from her body and given to Carol. Beta eventually stabbed Alpha’s reanimated skull, killing her for a second time.

How did Beta from The Walking Dead die?

Episode: Season 10 episode 16 ‘A Certain Doom’

Cause of death: Daryl stabs Beta in the eyes during a violent confrontation. Daryl then pulls the knives out, and the excessive bleeding attracts a group of walkers, who finish Beta off.

Did he turn?: The walkers didn’t leave enough of Beta behind for him to turn.

How did Gage from The Walking Dead die?

Episode: Season 11 episode two ‘Acheron: Part II’

Cause of death: Gage is trapped in a train car with a group of walkers, who proceed to devour him. In his final moments, Gage stabs himself twice in the heart.

Did he turn?: Yes, Gage turned. He was shot in the head by Gabriel, killing him for a second time.

How did Pope from The Walking Dead die?

Episode: Season 11 episode eight ‘For Blood’

Cause of death: Leah stabs Pope twice, once in the neck and another in the head.

Did he turn?: No, Pope didn’t turn. Leah stabbed him in the head, preventing him from reanimating.

How did Alden from The Walking Dead die?

Episode: Season 11 episode nine ‘No Other Way’

Cause of death: Alden’s throat was cut during a confrontation with a Reaper named Montanio.

Did he turn?: Yes, Alden turned. Maggie stabs Alden’s reanimated corpse in the head, killing him for a second time.

How did Brandon Carver from The Walking Dead die?

Episode: Season 11 episode nine ‘No Other Way’

Cause of death: Maggie stabs Brandon in the chest with a kama.

Did he turn?: It’s unknown if Brandon turned, but Maggie isn’t the type of person to leave loose ends, so she presumably stopped him from reanimating.

How did Sebastian Milton from The Walking Dead die?

Episode: Season 11 episode 20 ‘What’s Been Lost’

Cause of death: Sebastian is bitten on the neck by a walker, killing him almost instantly.

Did he turn?: Yes, Sebastian turned. Daryl stabs Sebastian’s reanimated corpse in the head, getting rid of him once and for all.

How did Lance Hornsby from The Walking Dead die?

Episode: Season 11 episode 20 ‘What’s Been Lost’ (human death) and Season 11 episode 24 ‘Rest in Peace’ (walker death)

Cause of death: Lance attacks Daryl and Carol after they try to exile him. Carol shoots Lance in the neck with an arrow, causing him to slowly choke on his own blood.

Did he turn?: Yes, Lance turns. Maggie shoots Lance’s reanimated corpse in the head, killing him for a second time.

How did Jules Butler from The Walking Dead die?

Episode: Season episode 24 ‘Rest in Peace’

Cause of death: Jules is overrun by a herd of walkers and devoured.

Did she turn?: There wasn’t enough of Jules left to reanimate.

How did Luke Abrams from The Walking Dead die?

Episode: Season 11 episode 24 ‘Rest in Peace’

Cause of death: Luke is bitten in the leg by a walker. Yumiko, Connie, Kelly, and Magna try to amputate his leg in order to prevent infection, but Luke dies of blood loss.

Did he turn?: No, Luke didn’t turn. Magna stabbed him in the head to prevent reanimation.

How did Rosita Espinosa from The Walking Dead die?

Episode: Season 11 episode 24 ‘Rest in Peace’

Cause of death: Rosita is bit on the shoulder while battling through a horde of walkers. The infection slowly kills her.

Did he turn?: Eugene stabs Rosita in the head after she dies to prevent reanimation.

As you can see, living in The Walking Dead is deadly. Not only are you likely to die, but chances are you’ll die twice. Humans or walkers, you’re safe from nobody! Something to keep in mind in case the zombie apocalypse ever happens.

Want to learn how to watch The Walking Dead in release and chronological order? Check out our watch guide!