The Ultimate Death Wish: Unveiling The Walking Dead Characters With the Most Ruthless Kill Counts!

Throughout the eleven seasons of The Walking Dead, both protagonists like Rick Grimes and antagonists like Negan have been responsible for numerous killings. However, this list focuses on the characters who have taken the lives of other survivors, excluding the count of Walkers. The show has witnessed a significant number of deaths, and many of them were caused by the main characters themselves.

Rick Grimes, the show's prominent figure, departed from the series in season 9, eliminating him from the race for the character with the highest kill count. Shortly after Rick's departure, Michonne also left, removing herself from the competition as well. Although both characters briefly returned in the series finale, they did not add to their kill counts during their time back, leaving their numbers unchanged since their departure. On the other hand, characters like Negan and Daryl remained until the very end, claiming numerous lives along their journey. The character with the highest kill count in The Walking Dead may surprise you. Below are the characters responsible for the most deaths in the series.

8 The Governor (David Morrissey) - 20

The Governor, also known as Philip Blake, notched up a total of 20 kills during his time on The Walking Dead. As the primary antagonist, he executed several notable kills, such as skillfully taking out Axel with a sniper's bullet at the prison. Another significant kill was when he shot Merle Dixon in the chest, deliberately allowing him to transform into a walker and eventually be discovered by his brother, Daryl. However, the most shocking and brutal kill orchestrated by The Governor was undoubtedly when he mercilessly beheaded Hershel Greene using Michonne's sword, horrifyingly witnessed by Hershel's daughters, Maggie and Beth.

7 Alpha (Samantha Morton) - 21

Alpha, the leader of the Whisperers clan, proved to be a formidable force during her two-season run on The Walking Dead. From her debut in the mid-season premiere, known as Dee or Alpha, she emerged as the primary antagonist in season 10 until her demise at the hands of Negan. Her portrayal showcased her merciless nature, as the show explored her backstory, revealing that she had coldly killed her own husband Frank and other survivors during the initial outbreak, deeming them as "weak." Notorious for her gruesome displays, Alpha would impale the heads of her victims on spikes, proudly showcasing her dominance and utilizing these severed heads to mark the boundaries of the Whisperers' territory. Alpha's kill count on TWD reached a staggering 21 before her own beheading by Negan, effectively bringing an end to the Whisperers' reign of terror.

6 Michonne (Dania Gurira) - 23

Michonne's character in The Walking Dead is known for her impressive kill count of 23. However, it is interesting to note that she has not taken the lives of any major characters thus far, despite her trusty sword being her weapon of choice. One of Michonne's most challenging moments occurred in the ninth season's episode titled "Scars." This installment delved into flashbacks revealing how Michonne's old friend, Jocelyn, had kidnapped Judith and tried to recruit her into a group of murderous children. In order to protect her unborn child and save those under Jocelyn's influence, Michonne was tragically compelled to eliminate Jocelyn and most of the corrupted children.

5 Morgan Jones (Lennie James) - 31

Despite his aversion to killing, Morgan surprisingly had a significant number of kills on The Walking Dead. These 31 kills only pertain to the main show and do not include Morgan's actions on the Fear the Walking Dead spinoff. Similar to Michonne, Morgan has not killed any major characters, but he did take the life of Richard, a fellow member of the Kingdom. Richard's ill-conceived plan to provoke Ezekiel into war with the Saviors resulted in the death of Benjamin, prompting Morgan to eliminate him. Morgan's weapon of choice is his trusty staff, which he wields skillfully with its pointed end. Presently, Morgan is still alive and plays a leading role in the Fear the Walking Dead cast.

4 Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) - 45

It is expected that a notorious murderer like Negan would have a high kill count in The Walking Dead, especially considering his recent transition into somewhat of an antihero. However, it is somewhat surprising that Negan's confirmed kills in the series only amount to 45, most of which were carried out using his signature weapon, the barbed wire-wrapped bat Lucille. Negan infamously brutally murdered Glenn and Abraham by bashing their heads in. In a later timeline, he used a blade to decapitate Alpha, the leader of the Whisperers, and then presented her head to Carol, who was grateful for the act. While these actions solidified Negan's position within the main group, his relationship with Maggie has remained contentious even after his supposed "reformation." Now that Negan is accompanying Maggie in The Walking Dead: Dead City, it is highly likely that his kill count will continue to rise.

3 Carol Pelletier (Melissa McBride) - 52

Carol entered The Walking Dead as a survivor of domestic abuse, but as time went on, she transformed into a relentless murderer, ready to do whatever it took to stay alive. The toll of the killings in The Walking Dead has had a profound effect on her mental state, especially in recent seasons. The burden of having to take the lives of others seems to have become increasingly heavy for Carol. While she has yet to kill off a major character, there was a notorious incident in season 4 where she was compelled to shoot Lizzie after Lizzie fatally stabbed her sister Mika, in a futile attempt to prove that the Walkers were intelligent. It became evident at that point that Lizzie's mental illness had made her a threat not only to herself but to others as well, and she was beyond redemption. Although Carol's kill count may not be filled with high-profile names, it is undoubtedly one of the most extensive.

2 Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) - 54

Any fan of The Walking Dead could have predicted that Rick Grimes would have a high kill count, but the actual number is staggering: a total of 54 kills. Armed with his powerful magnum, Rick has had to take out significant threats, including his former best friend Shane Walsh, the leader of Terminus Gareth, and numerous Saviors. However, Rick's most notable moment is when he chose not to kill, specifically after defeating Negan. Inspired by Carl, Rick opted for mercy instead of wrath, sparing Negan's life as a symbol for others. This decision didn't sit well with Maggie and Daryl, considering the countless lives Negan had taken mercilessly. Nonetheless, Rick followed his convictions and did what he believed was right. Now, with his upcoming spin-off series, Rick will have the chance to reclaim his title as The Walking Dead's most prolific killer, potentially adding more names to his already extensive kill list.

1 Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus) - 72

Daryl Dixon, the beloved character of The Walking Dead, has garnered a massive fan following who have sworn to abandon the show if he meets his demise. Throughout the series, Daryl has proven himself adept at taking down adversaries, accumulating an impressive body count of 72 kills. This places him on par with his close friend Rick Grimes, at least until season 11, making Daryl the character with the highest number of kills in TWD. Armed with his trusty crossbow, Daryl has been faced with heart-wrenching decisions, such as having to end the suffering of his friend Dale in season 2. Additionally, he sought vengeance against Officer Dawn for Beth's death and eliminated Morales after he turned against Rick. Notably, Daryl also served as the executor of Gregory, carrying out Maggie's order to end the former Hilltop leader's life for his betrayal. While it took Daryl longer than Rick to reach the milestone of 50 kills, he eventually surpassed Rick's record before The Walking Dead bid farewell. The moral implications of this accomplishment, however, remain a subject of debate, as it is crucial to remember that these victims were once living individuals.

How Many People Have Been Killed In The Walking Dead?

According to research conducted by a UK-based insurance company, it has been revealed that The Walking Dead has seen a total of 1,808 human deaths throughout its first 11 seasons (excluding the initial outbreak). This equates to an average of 180 kills per season, with approximately 12 deaths per episode. It should be noted that these deaths are not evenly distributed throughout the show, with a significant portion occurring in season 10 during the Whisperer War, although most of these casualties are unnamed characters.

Interestingly, season 4 holds the record for the highest number of named character deaths, with 43 individuals, including Hershel, Mika, and the Governor, meeting their demise. Notably, the infamous character Negan, known for his penchant for killing main characters, made his entrance in season 7, which surprisingly ranked towards the lower end of the list with only 13 named character deaths. However, it is worth mentioning that many of these deaths were particularly brutal, and one of them involved the beloved character Glenn, much to the dismay of fans.

Regardless of the specific season, the research makes it evident that The Walking Dead, with its staggering tally of 1,808 human deaths, has rightfully earned the title of the deadliest fictional TV universe to inhabit.

How Many Walkers Have Been Killed In The Walking Dead?

The number of Walkers eliminated in The Walking Dead is a bit more challenging to determine, but it is estimated to be in the thousands. This comes as no surprise, considering that in certain scenes, characters casually stroll around the settlement and dispatch a few Zombies while engaging in light plot exposition. According to executive producer Greg Nicotero (via comicbook.com), the Walking Dead crew has diligently kept track of the number of zombies they have filmed meeting their demise. As of TWD season 8, this count reached approximately 4,000. Assuming an average of around 500 deceased Walkers per season (accounting for the 4,000 Walker kills across 8 seasons), it can be inferred that at least 5,500 undead inhabitants of The Walking Dead's apocalyptic world have been eradicated throughout the 11-season series.

Which Characters Can Still Add To Their Kill Total?

In the ever-expanding TWD universe, even though the main series has concluded and Fear the Walking Dead is nearing its final season, there is still a plethora of content to anticipate. This includes three spinoff shows that will showcase beloved characters from the original series. The first spinoff will revolve around the enthralling journey of Rick Grimes and Michonne. While described as a "love story" by Danai Gurira, their involvement in the miniseries guarantees intense battles against the CRM, resulting in an increase in their kill count. With this opportunity, Rick could potentially surpass Daryl, and Michonne might surpass several other notable characters in terms of their lethal accomplishments.

In addition, it should be noted that Daryl Dixon is not one to easily relinquish his position as the top survivor. While Rick, alongside Michonne, will undoubtedly increase their kill count in The Walking Dead, Daryl has his own plans for the future. He is set to star in the first European installment of the series, titled The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon. In this new adventure, Daryl wakes up in Paris, France, completely unaware of how he ended up there. As he navigates through a fresh wave of walkers, encounters new survivors, and battles his way back to his loved ones, it is certain that his kill count will continue to rise.

Moreover, The Walking Dead: Dead City brings back the infamous character Negan, providing him with another opportunity to add to his impressive tally of kills. However, he is not alone in this venture, as he is joined by Maggie, who has considerably fewer kills to her name. Together, they embark on a mission to find Maggie's son, Hershel, in the urban landscape of New York City. With danger lurking around every corner in this first major city setting in the TWD universe, the potential for more kills is imminent.

With these three shows already captivating audiences and the promise of more to come, it is safe to say that The Walking Dead will continue to deliver an abundance of thrilling kill scenes in the popular zombie series.