20 Most Surprising Yellowstone Deaths, Ranked

The groundbreaking TV series by Taylor Sheridan, titled “Yellowstone,” is set to air the second half of its last season in November 2024. After numerous hurdles such as production delays, Hollywood strikes organized by SAG-AFTRA, and clashing schedules, actor Kevin Costner (playing the role of John Dutton) decided to leave the show to concentrate on his four-part Western movie titled “Horizon: An American Saga“. Initially, there were rumors that he might rejoin for the final episodes, but one unexpected character death now seems to rule out any possibility of his return.

As viewers witness the Duttons unravel mysteries, seek retribution, and fight to protect their cherished Yellowstone ranch, the series eventually concludes. A key question on everyone’s mind was how they would address Costner’s exit. Now that this has been addressed, let’s revisit the most startling deaths the show has presented so far. Numerous characters from Yellowstone have met untimely and heartbreaking ends. To alleviate any speculation about future deaths, let’s remind ourselves of those that have already occurred.

*This piece has been revised by Andrea Sandoval on May 25, 2025: *The Yellowstone TV series is teeming with death, brutality, and sorrow. As the Dutton clan strives to safeguard their territory, they amass numerous adversaries, making the Yellowstone Ranch a battleground of mortality. However, some deaths take viewers by astonishment. This article has been expanded to incorporate additional instances of the most startling deaths in Yellowstone.*

It Was Surprising that Beth Actually Came Through

Initially, their animosity appeared insignificant within the series Yellowstone, but as events unfolded, it multiplied dramatically. At first glance, Jamie seemed reasonable and morally upright compared to his kin, but over time, he began shedding his facade. Pretending to seek a respectable career and loyalty towards his father, Jamie eventually embarked on a killing spree that exposed him as a selfish, insecure, and damaged individual.

Initially, fans of Dutton family dynamics might have hoped for Jamie’s redemption, despite being adopted. However, things took a dark turn when it was revealed that Beth underwent an involuntary hysterectomy at her brother’s hands and later killed her own father. The climax came when Beth coldly murdered Jamie after discovering he had orchestrated John’s assassination plan. While Beth’s violent act against Jamie, who had never before taken a life, was somewhat anticipated due to the mounting tension, it still came as a shock.

While He Was a Side-Character, Colby Was a Fan-Favorite

Colby served as one of the cowboys at Yellowstone from its debut season, known for his straightforward demeanor and genuine kindness. He was a low-key individual who generally got along well with everyone on the ranch, avoiding unnecessary conflicts. Over time, his role expanded significantly in the series, culminating in him receiving the ‘Y’ brand and entering into an endearing, unconventional romance with Teeter, another ranch hand.

Unfortunately, Colby met an untimely end during Season 5 of the series, specifically in episode 12. In this instance, Colby stepped in to help Carter with a recalcitrant horse and got struck instead, resulting in his fatal injury. Colby’s departure lacked the fanfare of a grand exit or the ignominy of a disgraceful one, as it occurred when the show was wrapping up various plotlines.

Jason Was Beth’s Assistant

In the TV series Yellowstone, Jason wasn’t a major character, but his demise was shocking. During an unexpected attack by mercenaries at Beth’s office late one night, both Beth and Jason found themselves bound to chairs, terrorized, and eventually, Jason was brutally killed. Interestingly, Jason’s death didn’t seem to be motivated by any personal vendetta.

What makes Jason’s death particularly tragic is that he was an ordinary, peaceful individual with no affiliations or involvement in politics or the Yellowstone game. The killers, however, seemed indifferent to human life and used this opportunity to demonstrate their callousness towards another person. Essentially, Jason was just a regular guy who found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, becoming an unfortunate victim of these actions.

Monica Was Left With No Family

Robert wasn’t part of the main cast, but his passing came as a surprise nonetheless. The initial episode of the series sets the stage for the escalating tension between the Yellowstone Ranch and the Broken Rock Reservation. Monica’s sibling has a tendency towards violence and extreme ideologies, which leads him to become involved in the struggle over John Dutton’s cattle on the Reservation.

Initially, since the show was just starting to develop its main characters and the pilot was at the helm, it was startling when Robert took Lee, Kayce’s elder brother’s life. What followed was equally surprising – Kayce retaliated instantly by killing Robert too. This brutal act of Kayce avenging his brother-in-law while Lee’s body was still warm effectively set the stage for a series marked by shocking twists, rampant violence, and senseless death.

They Appear Once, And It’s Just To Die

In the unpredictable expanse of Yellowstone, an unexpected instance unfolded where Rip came across a bear and found two Asian tourists in a precarious position, clinging to a cliff’s edge. The challenge was that they struggled to comprehend most of what Rip communicated, and amidst the chaos of fear, the tourists unfortunately slipped and perished.

In a stunning turn of events, the characters weren’t given names, such was the unexpected nature of the situation. On Yellowstone, they play a deadly game, even eliminating those who remain unidentified to the viewers. While this sudden death could have deepened Rip’s character or provided intriguing analysis, it seems there were more engaging ways to develop plot rather than killing nameless characters.

Her Presence Is Felt Throughout the Show

In the dynamic world of Yellowstone, Evelyn Dutton may not physically grace the contemporary scenes, but her influence is palpable and profound, as Beth so aptly put it – she was the heart and soul of John Dutton. Even though her tragic demise unfolds in a flashback during season one, episode three, it still manages to take us aback. Though we, the devoted fans, are aware of her passing, the intricate details surrounding her death remain shrouded until this captivating episode reveals them.

For Beth and Kayce, this moment holds much more weight than just being significant; it’s a heart-wrenching reality. They were riding with Evelyn when Beth’s lack of assurance on horseback caused an unfortunate accident. Evelyn fell from her horse, and in the process, she was severely injured. Despite medical attention, she passed away several hours later, leaving behind a profound sense of sorrow and resentment within the family. This loss had a particularly strong impact on Beth.

He Couldn’t Take a Warning

On the Dutton ranch, Fred Myers served as a hand. His experience serves as a reminder that disregarding the brand on a ranch can have serious consequences. When Jimmy Hurdstrom was brought aboard at the suggestion of his grandfather Dirk, Fred felt it was his job to make Jimmy’s life difficult, in an attempt to toughen him up. However, he refused to back down and eventually found himself being led away by Lloyd Pierce to a place known as the “train station.

I find it staggering that Fred persistently ignored warnings to stay away from Jimmy, even after receiving a severe beating from Rip. One might expect such an incident to deter any reasonable person from continuing their actions. However, Fred seemed unfazed and only grew more determined. When he disrespected John Dutton and the brand, Lloyd concluded that Fred Myer’s days were numbered.

But It Was Shocking How It Happened

Sarah Atwood made a significant mistake by antagonizing the Dutton family, ultimately contracting hitmen to assassinate John Dutton, disguising it as suicide. However, when the investigation was reopened as a homicide by an unidentified pair at a traffic light, she met her end while speaking with Jamie. Given the numerous motives people had for wanting Sarah dead, this twist in events was far from shocking.

Even though it was a daylight event, the manner in which Sarah’s death occurred left fans bewildered about who was behind it. Suspicion falls on Jamie and Beth due to their desire for revenge and their apparent knowledge that Jamie and Sarah were involved. However, the hitmen Sarah had hired are also strong suspects as they may be trying to hide any involvement in this case.

Amidst the Other Deaths, a Peaceful One Is Shocking

In the turbulent world of “Yellowstone,” where violent deaths frequently underscore the show’s intense drama and complex characters, a peaceful passing can be just as startling. This is the fate that befalls Emmett Walsh, a ranch hand for the Duttons, who passes away peacefully in his sleep. Emmett embodied the essence of the cowboy: courageous, resilient, and unwaveringly loyal until the very end.

At the start and almost at the finale of the show, Emmett Walsh was present. John Dutton muses nostalgically that Walsh met with a cowboy’s demise, enveloped by the landscape and those he cherished. The tranquility of Walsh’s existence served as a stabilizing force for the series, so it’s understandable that viewers might ponder whether his passing could hint at the ranch’s conclusion.

But He Dies Eulogizing the American Dream

In Montana, real estate can be a ruthless endeavor, as Dan Jenkins discovered through the ordeal detailed in “Sins of the Father.” The Beck brothers, in a bid to eliminate him from a land deal once and for all, enlisted a group of assassins. Despite putting up a strong resistance and even managing to wound two of them, Dan was ultimately overpowered when a third attacker unexpectedly appeared and completed the task.

After being struck in the chest, Dan gasped his final words: “I deserve to be here. I belong. It’s my right. This is America.” Regrettably, Dan represented the typical self-centered American chasing after wealth. Despite his obnoxious behavior throughout the show, it’s challenging to feel empathy for him. However, as he was slowly turning a corner, he met an untimely end.

2025-05-27 03:22