Highest Kill Counts in The Walking Dead: Who Tops the List?

Over the course of eleven seasons on The Walking Dead, notable figures like Rick Grimes and formidable adversaries such as Negan have ended the lives of countless apocalypse survivors and walkers alike. However, this count does not include walkers because it would exceed 100s. Instead, the characters with the highest kill counts in The Walking Dead refer to those who have caused the demise of other living beings. Throughout its 11-season run, the show has witnessed numerous deaths, many of which were at the hands of its primary characters.

In the series “The Walking Dead,” the primary character Rick Grimes exited in season 9, having the highest number of kills among all characters prior to his departure. Following Rick’s exit, Michonne also chose to leave, preventing her from increasing her kill count. Characters like Negan and Daryl remained until the end, accumulating more lives taken and significantly boosting their total kill counts. The characters with the highest death tolls are often among the most iconic, with many beloved characters proving themselves to be proficient killers as well.

15. Leah Shaw (Lynn Collins) – 5

Daryl’s Dangerous Love Interest Made Her Mark

In the tenth season of “The Walking Dead,” Leah Shaw emerged as a ruthless Reaper and ex-love interest of Daryl Dixon. Although her storyline concluded dramatically in Season 11’s Episode 16 titled “Acts of God,” she left an indelible impression with five human deaths, positioning herself among the most chilling female characters on the show. While her kill count may seem modest compared to other prominent figures, it was not the quantity but rather the method behind her kills that set Leah apart. Her violence was not arbitrary; instead, it was calculated, personal, and frequently motivated by revenge.

In a different phrasing: Leah wasn’t just a soldier; she was a relentless hunter, particularly when she targeted Daryl and sought out Maggie. Her most striking kill occurred in season 11 as she dispatched a fellow Reaper to claim authority, demonstrating her equal ruthlessness to Pope. Unlike characters who kill for survival or protection, Leah killed for power. The climactic confrontation between Leah and Maggie was a nerve-wracking, tension-filled scene that concluded with Leah’s brutal death at the hands of Daryl, marking the bitter end to a twisted romance transformed into a battlefield.

14. Simon (Steven Ogg) – 5

Negan’s Right-Hand Man Was Just As Lethal

In the world of “The Walking Dead,” Simon made a powerful impact starting from season 6, ultimately meeting his grisly demise in season 8. However, before his exit, he established himself as one of Negan’s most volatile and ruthless lieutenants. While his on-screen kill count stands at only 5 confirmed human victims, it is clear that the devastation he wreaked was immense. Simon was not a conventional soldier; rather, he was more of an unpredictable wild card. He had no regard for mercy, order, or redemption – instead, he thrived on destruction. His off-screen kill count, undoubtedly, is much higher than the official tally suggests.

In simpler terms, one of Simon’s most heinous actions was ordering the killing of all men in the Oceanside community, an act so ruthless that even Negan, known for his brutality, was shocked (though since Simon didn’t carry out the killings personally, they don’t add to his total count). Unlike Negan who ruled through fear and performance, Simon was all about raw savagery. His demise occurred when his bloodthirsty nature turned against him. His attempt to overthrow Negan was his final power move, which ended in a lethal beating. Despite not often getting his hands dirty, five deaths he caused speak volumes. Although Simon may not rank high numerically, the lasting impact of his actions – and the number of lives he took – left an indelible mark on the series.

13. Pope (Ritchie Coster) – 7

A Fiery Flash In The Pan

In a brief yet memorable stint on the show starting from Season 11, Episode 4 titled “Rendition”, and ending dramatically in Episode 8 titled “For Blood”, Pope made an indelible impact with one of the most impressive kill counts among characters on The Walking Dead. As the flamboyant head of the Reapers, Pope’s method of violence was as captivating as it was fear-inducing. While 7 deaths may not seem like much, Pope’s murderous style revolved around creating a spectacle.

In a ruthless and unyielding manner, Pope demonstrated no mercy or remorse – not even sparing one of his own men by setting him ablaze as a gruesome display of power. His tally of victims encompassed both adversaries and allies, and he considered loyalty as disposable if it didn’t align with his warped interpretation of divine conflict. The moment that sent shivers down the spines of all who witnessed was when he cold-bloodedly tossed a fellow Reaper into a fiery pit without a second thought. Unlike other malevolent figures who controlled through deceit or intrigue, Pope maintained his grip by instilling fear and anarchy. His rule came to an end when Leah, recognizing the depths of his corruption, ended his life in a decisive act that marked a change in Reapers’ leadership.

12. Carl Grimes (Chandler Riggs) – 8

From Scared Child To Seasoned Killer

The transformation of Carl, initially an innocent child, into a tough survivalist, was arguably the most poignant narrative arc on “The Walking Dead.” Joining the series in the pilot episode, Carl’s journey culminated tragically in Season 8, Episode 9 (“Honor”). Throughout this journey, he accounted for eight human lives taken – each act of violence serving as a milestone in his growth. Unlike certain characters who kill out of malice or tactical reasons, Carl’s violence was frequently defensive, emotionally driven, and regrettably essential.

Carl’s most memorable instances were when he fatally shot a surrendering soldier from the Governor’s army and Lori to prevent her from turning, acts that showed both his harsh reality and compassion in a world where innocence often led to death. Despite not reaching the same level of ruthlessness as Rick or Daryl, Carl demonstrated his ability to make tough decisions, even when they were painful.

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11. Glenn Rhee (Steven Yuen) – 8

The Fan-Favorite Hero Had An Edge

Glenn served as the soul of their group, providing moral guidance and an unwavering optimism. Yet, it’s often overlooked that in the course of events, he neutralized eight dangerous individuals before meeting his untimely demise at the hands of Negan. However, Glenn wasn’t a killer driven by power or revenge; instead, he was one of the less violent characters in The Walking Dead. Whenever Glenn took a life on TWD, it was out of necessity to protect. His actions were strategic and essential – whether it involved launching a sneak attack on Negan’s stronghold or saving his companions with a quick and silent strike.

Glenn’s first act of taking a human life was a significant milestone that didn’t harden him. Instead, it deepened the character who consistently strived to maintain his humane qualities. What makes Glenn’s killing spree intriguing is the juxtaposition. He was one of the most compassionate and understanding characters in the series, yet when faced with difficult choices, he never wavered in defending those he cared about. Though Glenn met his end under Negan’s bat, he left behind a legacy of courage, sacrifice, and the protection of eight lives that saved many more.

10. Sasha Williams (Sonequa Martin-Green) – 9

Tyreese’s Sister Became Efficient At Ending Human Lives

Determining the number of deaths caused by characters in The Walking Dead can be complex, especially when considering those at the lower end of the survivor group. Many characters take the lives of a few humans during the series, and it isn’t until significant villains like Rick Grimes or Daryl Dixon, or particularly aggressive heroes, are included that the body counts become significantly high. It might be unexpected for fans to learn that Sasha Williams (played by Sonequa Martin-Green), a proficient survivor on The Walking Dead, had more than average on-screen kills.

In the seventeenth episode of season 7 on The Walking Dead, titled “The First Day Of The Rest Of Your Life,” Sasha was depicted as having ended the lives of at least nine individuals. Her tally of on-screen deaths surpassed that of characters like Merle Dixon and other secondary antagonists who were known for their violent tendencies but didn’t carry out many murders during their tenure on The Walking Dead (Merle is linked to only five confirmed deaths throughout the series).

9. Abraham Ford (Michael Cudlitz) – 12

The Gentle Giant Had A Deadly Side

In an unexpected twist, the character from “The Walking Dead” with the most kills before his demise was Sasha’s boyfriend, Abraham Ford (played by Michael Kudlitz). Abraham was a compelling figure in the series, initially intended to make recurring appearances but ultimately met his end at the hands of Negan. His death, gruesome as it was, was surpassed in shock value by Negan’s killing of Glenn. However, before meeting his untimely end at the business end of Lucille, Abraham had taken the lives of 12 other survivors on “The Walking Dead.

Similar to Sasha, most of Abraham’s actions resulting in lives lost were primarily in self-defense, taking place during combat scenarios. For instance, he eliminated four unattended Saviors along with Sasha. It is plausible that Abraham had killed numerous others before the series began, given his military background as a sergeant in the US army and his ability to handle himself effectively, even before the onset of the zombie apocalypse.

8. The Governor (David Morrissey) – 20

The Show’s First Villain Was Soon Overshadowed When It Came To His Kill Count

During his time on the show, Governor Philip Blake amassed a total of 20 kills that were characteristic of The Walking Dead. Notably, he executed Axel at the prison with a precise sniper shot to the head. Moreover, he intentionally shot Merle Dixon in the chest, leading to his reanimation and later discovery by his brother Daryl.

In a shockingly brutal act, it was Hershel Green who suffered the Governor’s most notorious execution, as he mercilessly beheaded him in full view of his daughters Maggie and Beth, using Michonne’s sword. Much like other characters on The Walking Dead with exceptionally high body counts, the Governor likely claimed many more lives beyond what was shown on screen. His menacing reputation preceded him even before Rick Grimes’ band of survivors encountered him, suggesting that his actual number of victims was significantly greater.

7. Alpha (Samantha Morton) – 21

The Leader Of The Whisperers Killed Plenty Of People In The Walking Dead

Alpha, initially presented in the mid-season premiere of The Walking Dead, was a merciless leader of the Whisperers clan. In just two seasons on the show, she accumulated an impressive kill count, serving as the principal adversary during season 10 before meeting her end at the hands of Negan. From the start, it was evident that Alpha had no qualms about taking lives, as the series later revealed that she had murdered her husband Frank and other survivors during the early stages of the zombie apocalypse, considering them weak.

Alpha, a character from The Walking Dead, often showcased her victims’ decapitated heads on spikes and used them to demarcate the Whisperers’ territory. She was responsible for 21 such gruesome deaths before meeting her own end at the hands of Negan, effectively bringing an end to the Whisperers’ reign of terror. Although she may not have been the deadliest character in The Walking Dead, the manner in which she took lives certainly left a lasting impression due to its disturbing nature.

6. Michonne (Danai Gurira) – 26

The Walking Dead’s Most Capable Warrior Hasn’t Killed The Most Human Characters

In the world of The Walking Dead, while Michonne has accounted for 23 zombies, she’s not the character with the highest kill count. However, this doesn’t diminish her reputation as one of the show’s deadliest characters. It’s plausible that, under different circumstances, Michonne might have amassed a far greater body count. Interestingly, she hasn’t taken out any major characters, but her go-to weapon is always her signature sword.

In the season 9 episode “Scars,” it was revealed through flashbacks that Michonne’s toughest kills occurred when her old friend, Jocelyn, kidnapped Judith and sought to enlist her into a band of child killers. Ultimately, a pregnant Michonne had no choice but to eliminate Jocelyn, as well as many of the children she had corrupted.

5. Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) – 47

Despite Lucille’s Infamy, Negan Doesn’t Have The Highest Walking Dead Kill Count

As a devoted fan of “The Walking Dead”, it’s hard to imagine that someone as ruthless as Negan wouldn’t top the list for the most deaths in the show. Yet, what left me somewhat astounded was discovering that Negan’s confirmed kills on the series amounted to just 45 when it finally came to an end. Most of these brutal killings were carried out with his signature weapon, the barbed wire-wrapped bat named Lucille.

Negan gained notoriety for brutally ending Glenn and Abraham’s lives with Lucille, and later in the narrative, he used a knife to decapitate Alpha, the leader of the Whisperers, before presenting her head to a grateful Carol. Despite his more recent transformation into somewhat of an antihero, it’s undeniable that Negan’s reign of terror left a lasting impact on the show.

In the main group, Negan’s position was solidified, yet after Maggie’s reappearance, their interactions continued to be tense, despite his supposed reform. As Negan journeys with Maggie in “The Walking Dead: Dead City,” his body count increased, albeit not as extensively as fans had anticipated. In this spin-off series, “The Walking Dead: Dead City,” Negan only claimed two lives, adding to his total of 47 kills on the original show. Despite this significant number, he falls short of claiming third place. However, one of these deaths was particularly grisly, involving Negan using a cheese grater as a weapon.

4. Morgan Jones (Lennie James) – 51

Morgan Finds Sticking To Pacifism Tricky

For a character who transformed from someone who eventually abstained from killing and embraced pacifism, Morgan had a considerable number of killings in the series “The Walking Dead.” Among all the characters on the show with high kill counts, Morgan’s presence on this list is one of the most heart-wrenching. Initially, Morgan wasn’t a violent individual, not even during the outbreak of the zombie apocalypse. It wasn’t until his son, Duane, turned into a walker that he took a human life. However, once this tragic event occurred, Morgan became relentless in his actions.

In the primary series, “The Walking Dead,” a character named Morgan kills 31 undead individuals. Then, he moves over to the spinoff, “Fear the Walking Dead,” where he adds another 20 to his tally, resulting in a total of 51 deaths. Similar to Michonne, Morgan doesn’t take out any significant characters; however, he does end the life of fellow Kingdom member Richard, following Richard’s ill-advised attempt to provoke Ezekiel into war with the Saviors, which ultimately led to Benjamin’s demise. Morgan is often seen using his trusty staff, particularly its sharpened tip, as his preferred weapon.

3. Carol Pelletier (Melissa McBride) – 52

Despite Being A Kind Soul Carol Has Killed Plenty Of People

Initially, Carol embarked on “The Walking Dead” as a victim of domestic abuse, but over time she transformed into a ruthless assassin, ready to go to any length to stay alive. However, the extensive number of deaths that Carol caused throughout the series took a toll on her psychologically, particularly in recent seasons. The burden of having to take lives seemed to grow heavier and heavier upon her shoulders.

Carol hasn’t eliminated a significant character yet, apart from the notorious incident in season 4 when she was compelled to shoot Lizzie following her sister Mika’s tragic stabbing. This act by Lizzie was a desperate attempt to demonstrate that Walkers were intelligent. At that juncture, it became evident that Lizzie’s mental illness had turned her into a threat to both herself and others, with no hope of salvation remaining. However, Carol has a considerable number of victims on her list.

2. Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) – 63

Sheriff Grimes Is No Stranger To Lethal Force

A viewer of “The Walking Dead” may have anticipated this high kill count, given that ex-lead character Rick Grimes has amassed an impressive 54 kills. Known for his powerful magnum, Rick has been forced to take the lives of his friend Shane Walsh, Terminus leader Gareth, numerous Saviors, and others. However, his most significant action might be the instance where he decided not to kill, specifically when he spared Negan after their confrontation.

Influenced by Carl, Rick chose compassion over anger and spared Negan’s life as a lesson for others. This decision, however, was met with disapproval from Maggie and Daryl due to all the cold-blooded murders Negan had committed. Despite this, Rick believed he acted justly, which is all anyone can do.

In The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, Rick continued to take lives, but not enough to surpass the character with the most human kills in The Walking Dead series.

1. Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus) – 89

The Youngest Dixon Brother Is As Deadly As The Walkers

In The Walking Dead series, it’s no secret that the solitary archer character, Daryl Dixon, has a high kill count. Many viewers wouldn’t be shocked to learn this fact. Throughout the show, Daryl has been involved in numerous confrontations, leading to a death toll of 72, initially tied with his comrade Rick Grimes until season 11; since then, his total stands at 79. Armed with his faithful crossbow, Daryl bears the heavy responsibility of having to put down a friend, Dale in season 2. He also avenged Beth’s death by killing Dawn, and dispatched Morales after he betrayed Rick.

In addition to following Maggie’s order to execute Gregory due to his treachery, Daryl had previously surpassed Rick’s tally of kills on “The Walking Dead.” However, whether this milestone represents an accomplishment or a cause for regret is open to interpretation. After all, the individuals on Daryl’s list were still people. In total, he had claimed 89 lives by the end of “The Walking Dead,” and he added another 10 in the first season of “The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon,” solidifying his position as the character with the highest kill count within the TWD universe.

1,808 Confirmed Human Deaths Occur Throughout The Walking Dead

Due to an insurance company based in the UK, fans now have a precise count of the number of human casualties in The Walking Dead series, excluding those who perished during the initial outbreak. Based on research by Undead Walking, as of the show’s first 11 seasons, a total of 1,808 human deaths have occurred within The Walking Dead. This averages out to approximately 180 deaths per season, with around 12 deaths per episode. However, these fatalities are not evenly distributed throughout the series, and over a thousand of them occur during Season 10, known as the Whisperer War. While many of these deaths involve unnamed characters, it’s still a significant number in the context of the show.

In season 4 of “The Walking Dead,” a significant number of major characters were killed off, including Hershel, Mika, and the Governor. Interestingly, despite Negan’s notoriety for killing main characters, he didn’t make his debut until season 7, which had fewer character deaths (13) compared to other seasons. However, it’s worth noting that many of these deaths were particularly brutal, with one being the much-loved character Glenn’s. Overall, with a total of 1,808 human deaths, “The Walking Dead” has rightfully earned the title of the deadliest fictional TV universe to inhabit.

How Many Walkers Have Been Killed In The Walking Dead? The Figure Sits Comfortably In The Thousands

The exact count of characters killed in ‘The Walking Dead’ can be challenging to pinpoint, but it’s safe to say that we’re dealing with thousands. This isn’t unexpected considering scenes often involve characters patrolling settlement boundaries and dispatching a few zombies during casual dialogue-driven moments. A more definitive, dependable figure has been provided by executive producer Greg Nicotero (as reported on comicbook.com). In simpler terms, the crew behind ‘The Walking Dead’ have apparently maintained a record of the zombies they’ve filmed destroying.

By the end of season 8 on “The Walking Dead,” approximately 4,000 walkers had been eliminated. If we assume an average of around 500 walker kills per season, it means that at least 5,500 undead inhabitants have been neutralized across the 11-season run of the show in this post-apocalyptic world.

Which Characters Can Still Add To Their Kill Total?

In the wake of the main series wrapping up and Fear the Walking Dead having just one season left, there’s plenty more to look forward to within the TWD universe, offering opportunities for certain characters to increase their kill count in The Walking Dead through the three spinoff series featuring characters from the original show.

In the upcoming seasons of “The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon” and “The Walking Dead: Dead City,” fans can anticipate Daryl and Negan accumulating more kills to their tallies in the popular zombie series, with more spin-offs potentially adding to the overall kill count before the AMC franchise concludes.

2025-04-22 14:45