Find out which were The Walking Dead’s 5 most satisfying deaths that still resonate

If you’re a fan of a post-apocalyptic series, you know one thing for sure: sooner or later, you’ll lose a favorite character. The Walking Dead became infamous for delivering heartbreaking deaths — Glenn, Carl, Hershel, and Abe, to name a few — that left fans devastated. These moments weren’t just plot twists; they felt like personal losses.

But not every death was met with tears. Sometimes, when a villain finally got what they deserved, viewers celebrated. These were the moments when justice prevailed, and the fandom collectively cheered. Let’s revisit five of the most satisfying deaths in The Walking Dead.

Joe, Leader of the Claimers

Played by Jeff Kober, Joe was the ruthless leader of the Claimers, a violent group with no moral boundaries. He reached his lowest point when he threatened to assault Michonne and Carl, leaving Rick seemingly powerless. But in one of the series’ most shocking moments, Rick snapped — literally — and tore into Joe with his teeth.

Fans didn’t just celebrate Joe’s death; they rejoiced at seeing Rick’s primal side resurface. It was savage, raw, and unforgettable.

The Governor of Woodbury

David Morrissey brought chilling charisma to the role of the Governor, one of the series’ most notorious villains. Though not as monstrous as his comic book counterpart, he committed more than enough atrocities to secure his place on the hate list.

His final showdown came during the prison battle. As Rick and the Governor fought brutally, Michonne plunged her katana into him, leaving him to die in agony. But it was Lilly, one of the women he deceived, who delivered the final blow — a bullet to the head that ended his reign of terror once and for all.

Beta, the Whisperer Second-in-Command

Ryan Hurst’s towering Beta was a menacing presence from the moment he appeared. Once a famous musician, he hid behind his grotesque skin mask, fueled by rage after Alpha’s death.

During the Whisperers’ final assault, Beta clashed with Negan but was ultimately caught off guard by Daryl. In a gruesome finish, Daryl stabbed him in both eyes before walkers swarmed him. Instead of fear, Beta smiled as the horde consumed him — a hauntingly fitting end for the Whisperers’ beast.

Ed Peletier, Carol’s Abusive Husband

Adam Minarovich’s Ed Peletier appeared in only a handful of episodes, but that was enough for fans to despise him. Abusive toward Carol and their daughter Sophia, he embodied everything vile and oppressive.

When walkers overran the Atlanta camp, Ed was killed in the chaos — and no one mourned. In one of Carol’s defining moments, she took a pickaxe to his corpse, unleashing years of pain and reclaiming her strength. It was both cathartic and symbolic of the survivor she would become.

Gregory, the Cowardly Leader of Hilltop

Introduced in season 6 and played by Xander Berkeley, Gregory quickly revealed himself as a coward, a manipulator, and an opportunist. He betrayed his people time and again, hiding behind others while pretending to lead.

After losing power at Hilltop, he plotted Maggie’s assassination. But his scheme failed, and justice came swiftly. Maggie hanged him in front of the community he once claimed to lead, ending his story in the same humiliating fashion that defined his life.

👉 The Walking Dead may have broken our hearts countless times, but these five deaths reminded us that sometimes justice is served — and when it is, it’s oh so satisfying.