Like The Walking Dead, the show for which it serves as a spin-off, Fear the Walking Dead has never shied away from killing off its main or fan-favorite characters.
Through the five full seasons to date and into the sixth, there have been many unexpected killings of both villains and heroes alike. Interestingly, only a small percentage of them are at the direct hands (er, mouths) of walkers, demonstrating how the biggest threat in an apocalyptic world is not necessarily the dead, but more so the living.
Starting from the second season, major characters have become victims of the new world in various heartbreaking and, in some cases, relieving, ways.
Madison Clark – Season 4 (No One's Gone)
Fans were so outraged at Madison's death that, to this day, three years later, theories about a potential return continue. That seems unlikely, however. Even though fans didn't actually see Madison get eaten alive by walkers, she was last seen lighting a flare and walking towards hundreds of walkers who were ready to devour some flesh.
Madison's death was the most heroic of the series as she sacrificed herself in order to save her children, proving why she was such a good leader.
Nick Clark – Season 4 (Good Out Here)
Another heartbreaking death that angered viewers, Nick likely would have remained alive for seasons to come had it not been for actor Frank Dillane's desire to leave the show. A fan favorite right from the opening scene of the very first season, he was a relatable young man dealing with drug addiction.
His addiction and depression actually helped Nick, in an odd way, get through the apocalyptic world because he had already considered himself to be a sort of "walking dead" already. His death shook the group since it was at the hands of Charlie, the very same young girl he tried so hard to help. She shot him in the chest in retaliation for him killing Ennis.
John Dorie – Season 6 (Things Left to Do)
The most recent and controversial death on the series was that of John Dorie, another fan-favorite character who helped bring morality, kindness, and a killer trick shot to the group.
After nearly giving up after running away from Virginia and his wife June, John ran into Morgan who desperately tried to talk him out of giving up on life. It was all for naught, however, as shortly after John discovered it was Dakota who killed Cameron, Dakota shot him in the chest. Fans were teased that John might actually survive, finding a floatation device and desperately trying to reach dry land while bleeding. But when he finally washed up on shore, June was met with an already reanimated John in one of the most tragic scenes of the series to date.
Ofelia Salazar – Season 3 (El Matadero)
Interestingly, one of the few main characters to actually die from a walker bite is Ofelia. While riding with Crazy Dog, she fell and the group realized she had been bitten. What was most heartbreaking about her death was that her father Daniel was desperate to get to and see her, only for her to pass away just before he arrived.
Her death sparked tension between Daniel and Madison but showed how much character Madison had and the strength Daniel possessed.
Travis Manawa – Season 3 (The New Frontier)
Travis' death was the first major character death that proved that Fear the Walking Dead, much like The Walking Dead, was not afraid to go for the jugular (literally) and kill off characters in surprising ways.
Like many others on the list, Travis' death had nothing to do with walkers. Rather, he was shot in the stomach and neck by Lee "Crazy Dog" and subsequently fell out of a helicopter. It's all good and well, as the character was on a path similar to that of Rick Grimes when he lost himself and started making bold and extremely violent moves. Travis was deeply affected by the loss of his son. His shocking death was the last of the Manawas, following the death of his ex-wife Liza and son Chris.
Chris Manawa – Season 2 (Wrath)
It's sad to say that fans weren't as upset over the death of Chris as they were over other characters. Under any other circumstances, Chris was just a garden variety brooding young teenage boy. But in the apocalypse, his constant whining, poor choices, and rebellious nature was literally a matter of life and death. Thus, fans were more annoyed than endeared by Chris, though there's no denying that his death was heartbreaking, nonetheless.
Chris' death seemed karmic. After he literally pinned his father to the ground to allow his friend James to be killed because he was ill and thus holding the group back, Chris found himself in a similar situation. He sustained a leg injury after a car accident and begged for his life before Brandon and Derek shot him dead in the middle of the road for the very same reason.
Troy Otto – Season 3 (Things Bad Begun)
The Otto family members were the main antagonists in the latter half of season 3, and Troy Otto was the most sinister, the exiled brother with a dark side. A man with a charismatic personality that hid his lack of remorse and troubled mind well, he was the last surviving Otto family member from the Broke Jaw Ranch.
He sparked up a close friendship with Nick and an odd obsession with Madison, which she used to her advantage to get close to him so she could bludgeon him to death with a hammer.
Jake Otto – Season 3 (Brother's Keeper)
Jake was seemingly the "good" Otto brother who spent all his years trying to help his clearly troubled brother. His death came at the hands of a fight with Troy in this episode, which is among the highest-rated of the show. Their tussle led to Jake rolling down a hill and being bitten by a walker.
Nick tried to save his life by cutting off his arm quickly thereafter, but he didn't make it. Jake was one of only three main characters to be killed by a walker bite.
Jeremiah Otto Sr. – Season 3 (Children of Wrath)
Nick became enraged when he found the skull of Walker's dead father underneath the floorboards in Jeremiah's home. It forced Jeremiah to admit that he killed the man all those years before and proved that Walker was right all along.
After Madison tried to convince Jeremiah to kill himself so they could offer his scalp as a peace exchange with Walker and end the battle once and for all, he refused. It didn't matter, though, as Nick walked in and did the deed himself, finally putting the leader of the Otto Family Survivalist Organization and Broke Jaw Ranch community to rest.
Liza Ortiz – Season 2 (Monster)
The first main character death on the show, and the first to die (aside from Daniel's wife Griselda) at the hands (or rather mouth) of a walker (sort of), Liza died a hero. After trying to help near the beginning of the apocalypse by using her access as a nurse to get medical supplies, she gave the group what they needed and was seemingly about to leave.
Unsure of why she didn't want to come with them, Liza revealed to Madison that she was bitten and begged Madison to shoot her before she turned. Travis, however, jumped in and did the deed. Liza's death served as a catalyst for Chris' downfall.