Apocalypse plots are always unforgiving, and AMC’sThe Walking Deadis known for its extreme violence and gore. Although they’re not very fast, walkers can still be ruthless predators. And, humans are one’s worst enemy during an end-of-the-world scenario. It’s no wonder that it’s a world in which only the strongest and the smartest can make it out alive.
Both walkers and humans have taken way too many characters from the show, many of which were fan favorites. But, out of all the characters that have passed, who had the saddest deaths to date?
Updated July 02, 2025, by Ashely Claudino:Even though The Walking Dead TV show has come to an end, it’s never too late to remember those who became part of the group or crossed their path throughout the show’s 11 seasons.
11Dale Horvath
An Early Goodbye
Dale, the eldest of the group at the time, was an honest man. He would always try to be the voice of reason, keeping the group from making immoral decisions. Unfortunately, not only is his death heartbreaking due to how much everyone cared about him but also because of how avoidable it was.
Dale’s death was indirectly caused by none other than Carl Grimes. Carl taunts a nearby walker, stuck in a swamp. In an afford to chase after Carl, the walker frees itself. Dale is then ambushed and disemboweled by the vicious creature. Daryl hears Dale’s screams and shoots him in an attempt to spare him from the agonizing pain he’s in.
10Shiva, Ezekiel’s Tiger
A Loyal Death for a Loyal Companion
Many fans have a weak spot in their hearts for animals. Sadly, an apocalypse is a rather unfortunate scenario for any pet or animal. It was truly heartbreaking when Shiva, Ezekiel’s loyal tiger companion, died during the 4th episode of Season 8.
Ezekiel had a very close relationship with Shiva. When he worked as a zookeeper, he saved her life after she fell and ripped her leg open. Shiva was always very grateful and always faithful to Ezekiel after this. She even sacrificed her own life in order to help her wounded friend escape a dire situation, taking as many walkers down as she could before being overpowered.
9Lizzie Samuels
A Troubled Child in a Troubled World
Lizzie, an unstable child who killed her sister, was convinced that walkers weren’t all that bad. It’s hard not to tear up just thinking about how Carol must’ve felt when making the decision to end Lizzie’s life.
The young girl reminded Carol of her daughter, Sophia. However, in the end, Carol had to make a very tough call in order to protect those she loved; Lizzie had become a serious danger to her community, and she was in a world that couldn’t provide the help she so desperately needed. When Lizzie said she was going to make Judith turn as well, Carol became sure this was what she had to do. Melissa McBride did an amazing job playing Carol in this episode.
8Abraham Ford
An Overshadowed Passing
Abraham is not only extremely brave, but he’s also very loyal. After losing his family, he finds Eugene, who gives him a purpose to live, allegedly going to Washington and saving the world. Initially, he dates Rosita but eventually breaks up with her as he grows stronger and stronger feelings for Sasha.
During his final moments, he flashes Sasha a peace sign, which had a deeper meaning, as it was something he had done various times throughout Season 6. Unfortunately, he is killed in Season 7 Episode 1 (technically the last of Season 16 but there was a large hiatus before it aired) and flashes the peace sign because he knows that he will not survive.
7Sophia Peletier
A Cold Welcome into a Brutal World
Even though Sophia disappeared during Season 2 Episode 1, she is only found as a walker in Episode 7. When she died exactly is a mystery, but she was caught and taken to Hershel’s walker-riddled barn between the events of these episodes.
Sophia’s death is one of the most memorable on the show because many were still hoping that she would eventually show up, and this simply shows the cruelty of the world ofThe Walking Dead. Additionally, it is a very important character-building moment for Carol, as she truly begins to change after facing the hard reality of her daughter’s death.
6Merle Dixon
A Tough Redemption Case
Merle Dixon had never been a nice guy. However, in his last few scenes on-screen, he really began to redeem himself by helping Rick and his brother’s group. Unfortunately, this leads to the Governor killing him and leaving him to turn.
Later, Daryl finds him but he has already turned into a walker. After having been separated for so long and just now reunited, the feelings of having to put down his brother wash over him and he cries frantically, it’s a very heartbreaking moment to watch.
5Lucille Smith
A Death to Spare a Lover
With the bonus episodes of Season 10, fans finally got to meet the infamous Lucille, Negan’s wife, who he named his bat after. Not only that but another side of Negan was shown on screen during this episode - fans got to see who he was before hebecame a menace to Alexandria.
Lucille’s death was incredibly upsetting. Although Negan had not been the best husband before his wife got sick, he truly tried to change and dedicate himself to her. In the end, it became too difficult to find the medication needed. She was forced to accept her death and took her own life to spare Negan the problem of having to look after her.
4Hershel Greene
A Gruesome Death of a Fan Favorite
Hershel, a former alcoholic who gave up drinking the day his daughter Maggie was born, learned a lot from the group and taught them a lot as well. Previously believing that all walkers were only people who had become sick, he refused to kill them and would place them in his barn hoping for a cure.
He grew as a person on the show and quickly became a fan favorite. Hisdeath at the hands of the Governorwas unnecessarily violent and destroyed his daughters as they watched.
3Glenn Rhee
Another Goodbye to a Season 1 Character
Glenn suffered one of the most brutal deaths on the show to date. He always fought hard for the group and was happy next to his wife, Maggie. Glenn was killed by Negan alongside Abraham. What makes his death even worse is the fact that it happened not long after Maggie revealed she was pregnant. So, unfortunately, Glenn never gets to meet his son, Hershel.
It wasn’t easy for fans to accept Glenn’s fate inThe Walking Dead, especially at the hands of Lucille, Negan’s baseball bat. His death episode is one of the most tragic episodes to air. It’s one in which the group doesn’t win and there is no happiness at all.
2Lori Grimes
A Mother’s Sacrifice
Although Lori wasn’t the most liked character due to her initial indecision between Shane and Rick, her death scene is still too crushing for most fans to watch. A mother sacrificing herself for her child will always tug at people’s heartstrings, and this is the perfect example of that. Lori does not think twice and shows just how selfless she is toward her children.
She accepts that she has to have a C-section so that her baby can live even though she will die - very painfully. Lori tells Carl that he’s the best thing she ever did, along with a few other tragic words, and then Maggie initiates the procedure. Lori eventually loses consciousness and dies.
