The 100: The 20 Saddest Deaths In Series History

Summary

• The 100 featured heartbreaking deaths that changed the show’s dynamics.
• Characters like Bellamy, Jasper, and Monty met tragic fates.
• The sacrifices and losses in The 100 shaped the characters and storyline.

The CW’s post-apocalyptic sci-fi series The 100 featured a lot of loss throughout its 100 episodes, but these The 100 deaths are the saddest in the show. Because The 100 takes place during a time period when Earth is no longer fully inhabitable, the conflicts between characters were almost always a matter of survival, and death truly did lurk around every corner. The show was never one to hold back in terms of delivering emotional moments, and it certainly wasn’t shy when it came to killing off pivotal characters starting in just the third episode of The 100. In fact, many of the deaths changed things about the show as a whole.

The characters in this series were a complex bunch, with many doing seemingly unforgivable things. Still, fans found reasons to love them, especially core characters like Clarke (Eliza Taylor), Bellamy (Bob Morley), Jasper (Devon Bostick), and Monty (Christopher Larkin). That made it so some of the deaths crushed viewers, even when they acted as completions of story arcs for the show. They were heartbreaking losses whether it was because of who they happened to, who they affected, or how they perished. New viewers still finding the series through streaming platforms like Netflix are likely to find themselves wondering, “who dies in The 100?” every few episodes as the stakes in the series are continually raised, and any character could become one of The 100 deaths.

Atom

Mercy Killed By Clarke

Atom’s death establishes Clarke as the person who will do the hard things that the other’s won’t

In the first few episodes of The 100, the show needed to establish just how dangerous Earth was despite it being inhabitable. It does that by very quickly making some big threats to the main 100 teenagers sent to Earth. A giant snake chased Octavia and Jasper in a lake and acid fog got to Atom. While Octavia and Jasper survive that encounter, Atom’s experience is different.

Bellamy, Clarke, and Charlotte come across Atom while walking through the woods. His body is in bad shape having been ravaged by the acid fog it would later be revealed is a weapon utilized by Mount Weather. Atom is in so much pain that he doesn’t ask for Clarke and the others to help him. Instead, he asks Bellamy to put him out of his misery. Bellamy, however, cannot bring himself to do it.

Atom is Clarke’s first mercy kill of the show. Only a few episodes in, and Atom’s death establishes Clarke as the person who will do the hard things that the other’s won’t. The audience might not get the chance to know Adam so well because his death takes place so early in the show, but his death fundamentally changes Clarke, and that makes it truly heartbreaking.

Wells And Charlotte

One Is Murdered And The Other Jumps Off A Cliff

It’s one of the most surprising moments in season 1 and the first real defining moment of
The 100
.

Technically, Wells and Charlotte die at two different times, but their deaths are tied to one another. That’s because Charlotte murders Wells, who happens to be Clarke’s best friend from the Ark. Wells actually gets himself arrested so that he ends up in detention and then, on Earth, with her. He works hard and tries to help Clarke keep the peace when the teenagers end up on Earth, but unfortunately for him, Charlotte has a deep grudge.

Charlotte is one of the youngest of the 100 sent to Earth, but she murders Wells in revenge. Not only did she end up in the Ark’s version of juvenile detention, but Jaha also made the decision to execute (or float) her parents. She wants to hurt Jaha the way he hurt her, so she takes Wells’ life.

Of course, Charlotte’s guilt also eats away at her right after it happens because the other teenagers target Murphy for Wells’ death. Because Murphy has presented himself as the biggest troublemaker, many assume he killed Wells. They also decide he should be executed for what he did, and Charlotte’s confession at the last second saves his life, but she also jumps off a cliff in front of the small group who knows the truth instead of telling everyone. It’s one of the most surprising moments in season 1 and the first real defining moment of The 100.

Finn Collins

Mercy Killed By Clarke

Though Finn Collins is an integral part of the first season of the show, but season 2, many fans no longer loved his character since he cheated on Raven with Clarke and became obsessed with her. They were not entirely sorry to see him go since his actions became drastically worse. After all, in his desire to find Clarke, he massacred over a dozen unarmed Grounders. Among The 100 deaths that are the most emotional in the show, Finn’s is the least heartbreaking for the character who actually dies. Instead, it’s heartbreaking for the character who has to kill him.

His death was justified in the logic of The 100’s universe. Clarke stepped in and mercy-killed Finn, taking him out before he would be tortured by Grounders. It wasn’t the first time Clarke had to kill one of The 100 in an act of mercy, but it did mark the first time that Clarke had to end an ally’s life who wasn’t yet even injured, seemingly ending her innocence and putting her on the path to become Wanheda.

Miles Shaw

Radiation Barrier

Miles Shaw doesn’t initially make a big impression as he’s the pilot of the prison ship that was in cryosleep before the world ended (again). The primary reason the audience grows to care so much for him is because of how much Raven cares for him. Raven becomes the moral center of the show as it goes on, so when she cares for someone, it’s impossible not to sympathize with the character.

Shaw survives the end of the world to help what’s left of humanity enter cryosleep and makes it to the other side of the galaxy to a new planet. He dies thanks to an unfortunate mistake as a radiation-fueled barrier kills him before it can be disabled. Raven finally seemed like she might have someone good in her life, which she deserved, but he was taken from her in one of the most unfortunate The 100 deaths.

Luna kom Flokru

Killed In Conclave

A Nightblood introduced late in The 100 after all of the others are murdered, Luna is a surprising candidate for Heda. She’s an incredibly well-trained fighter and leader, but she wants nothing to do with the violence that persists in Grounder culture. That all changes when her entire clan suffers from radiation poisoning while she survives because of being a Nightblood.

Luna takes it upon herself to enter the Conclave to fight for the bunker that could save the last of humanity. The difference is, she doesn’t want anyone to have it because she doesn’t think they deserve to survive anymore. Luna goes all out in the Conclave, defeating several enemies before she’s ultimately killed as well. Her death is largely so sad among The 100 deaths because of how far her character turns from her peaceful nature.

Marcus Kane

Floated By Indra

The tale of Marcus Kane is actually a pretty sad one out of all of The 100 characters who manage to survive through most of the series. He starts the show as someone who is all about the “greater good,” willing to sacrifice a few people to save the rest of the population. He grows into someone the audience trusts and loves, so his passing hurts.

On his deathbed, Abby had him reborn using the Mind Drive in the body of a younger man named Gavin. Of course, Kane never wanted that and chooses to die rather than live that way. He opts to be floated by Indra and Abby’s reaction makes it much harder to deal with. Abby sacrifices and researches trying to find a way to save him, and when she finally finds one that allows him to live, it’s not what he wants.

Monty Green & Harper McIntyre

Died Of Old Age

Though Monty and Harper are obviously two different deaths, the couple died together and count as one. Monty Green was arguably The 100’s only true good guy, always trying to do what was right and be better. His romance with Harper McIntyre was one that fans adored. At the end of season five, everyone went into cryosleep and these two were meant to stay up a bit longer, so Monty could figure out the next move. That’s not exactly what ends up happening.

Clarke and Bellamy are awoken over a century later and shown a video detailing how the couple never went to sleep. They lived out their lives until old age together and had a son, before ultimately coming up with the plan to save them all. It was a beautiful ending but also a sad one for two of the show’s best people. Their choice is a noble one, but heartbreaking because it means the show goes on without them.

Charmaine Diyoza

Crystallized by Gen-9

When Charmaine Diyoza first appeared on The 100, nobody would’ve believed they’d be sad about her death. She was a terrorist and the antagonist for a lot of season 6. Initially, her goal is to be the one in control of the only fertile valley left on Earth because she wants a place to raise her unborn child. She eventually understands that all of the fighting between herself and the criminals with her only ends up bringing more harm than good. Ultimately, she goes on to form a bond with Octavia Blake that turns her around as a character.

She becomes much more likable in The 100 season 7 when she gets to meet her grown-up daughter Hope. So, it hurt badly to see Diyoza sacrifice herself in one of the most selfless The 100 deaths to save Hope and her friends. She is crystallized by Gen-9 and Hope can do nothing to save her, watching in complete sadness.

Jasper Jordan

Poisons Himself

Jasper is mostly the comic relief in seasons 1 and 2 of The 100. As one of the most beloved of the original 100 teens dropped on Earth, when Jasper dies in The 100 season 4, it’s truly heartbreaking. Jasper’s death in the series comes just as the main characters discover that the world is about to end – again. Following the death of the inhabitants of Mount Weather in season 2, Jasper struggles to deal with his grief at losing Maya, and the part he played in all of those lives lost.

Jasper isn’t the only member of the original 100 to choose that path

When Jasper finds out that the world is about to end, he doesn’t see the point of struggling against another apocalyptic event, especially when he also discovers that his skills aren’t considered “worthy” of being one of the last of humanity. Jasper isn’t on the list of people the leaders want to save. He chooses how he wants to spend his final days, partying with friends, and finally, using poison to end his life. Jasper isn’t the only member of the original 100 to choose that, but he’s the most prominent, and it’s a heartbreaking conclusion to the character’s story.

Maya Vie

Killed By Radiation

Initially, fans did not love Maya. They believed that she was faking some of her feelings for Jasper and agreed with the folks at Mount Weather for most of her tenure. That’s proven not to be the case, however, when she helps the members of the 100 captured and held at Mount Weather as much as she can.

Maya’s death in The 100 marks a huge turning point for the show. She is killed along with the rest of Mount Weather when Clarke and Bellamy flush radiation through the facility with the help of Monty. It is sad to see her die but also crushing to know what it does to Jasper. He becomes incredibly depressed, unable to understand the violence his friends perpetuate, and that eventually sends him down the path of taking his own life.

Most Of Skaikru

Gassed And Left To Praimfiya

Just when the audience might have thought Earth would be a place where the Skaikru could live among the Grounders, it turns out that Earth wouldn’t be habitable for long. Praimfaya, a radiation death wave, comes for the rest of humanity. There is a bunker that can house many people, but there aren’t enough resources for everyone. The decision is made for the bunker to be shared among the Grounder clans and Skaikru after Octavia wins the conclave, but that doesn’t mean every single human on Earth ends up inside.

Instead, Kane and Jaha make the decision to gas Skaikru, who has holed up inside the bunker to keep Grounders out. Kane and Jaha make the decision to remove anyone who has been gassed that they believe isn’t essential to the survival of humanity. Kane and Jaha were the ones responsible for decisions about who would end up floated on the Ark, so it makes sense that they would take it upon themselves to do the same on the ground.

While it’s hard to watch happen, it’s hard to fault them for making room for Grounders to survive what could have been the end of the world as well.

The Nightbloods

Slaughtered By Ontari

The way the Grounder clans remain united is by having one leader who could come from any nation. The Nightbloods, those whose black blood allows them to withstand the high levels of radiation of the planet, are also the only ones who can implant the chip of the first leader, or Heda, into their brains. Nightbloods from every tribe are trained in combat and leadership and Grounder history from a very young age so that they will be prepared when the time comes to lead.

When Lexa is killed, however, the Nightbloods in training are still very young – other than Ontari. Ontari decides to make sure that she is the only option to lead the Grounders. She slaughters all of the children who could have ended up in charge instead and puts all of their heads in the throne room to prove her victory as the new Heda. It’s a depraved act that shows how twisted Ontari’s desires have become, and it’s incredibly sad to see so many children wiped out.

Madi Griffin

Chooses To Transcend

Madi’s death itself isn’t tragic because she is given a choice in the series finale of The 100. Madi chooses to transcend rather than live out her days as the only child left on Earth. The events leading up to her death, however, are incredibly difficult for the audience to swallow, which is why her ending ranks as so sad among The 100 deaths. She’s a child who is tortured for information at the hands of Cadogan and his people.

Madi decides to go to Cadogan to protect Clarke and the rest of her family from being threatened. She doesn’t want anyone to get hurt. Unfortunately, the information is so deep in her mind that when Cadogan pushes his technology to find it, Madi’s brain is so damaged that she can’t communicate or move by the time Clarke finds her.

It’s eventually revealed that Madi chooses to transcend because she knows Clarke wouldn’t want her to live out her life without anyone else her own age. Even in the final moments of her traditional life, Madi makes a choice that puts Clarke’s feelings first.

Bellamy Blake

Shot By Clarke

A death can be both heartbreaking and frustrating at the same time. It is pretty clear that fans are displeased with the way Bellamy Blake’s storyline in the final season happens. He turns his back on his friends and fully invests in a philosophy he only just learns about.

Bellamy’s final moments come down to Bellamy threatening Madi’s safety. Clarke refuses to allow Madi, the daughter she adopts when they’re the only two people above ground on Earth, to be in danger. She pleads with Bellamy not to put Madi in danger. When he refuses, she shoots him. It is crushing to see that Clarke has to end the life of her best friend to protect her daughter. It’s a moment fans never thought they would see play out.

What’s even more crushing about it is that Bellamy’s beliefs end up being correct and Madi ends up in a comatose state anyway. Bellamy’s death at Clarke’s hands accomplishes nothing for the show, and only makes Clarke feel more guilty about the actions she’s taken in the past.

Abby Griffin

Turned Into A Host For Simone

Abigail Griffin is the protagonist of the Ark section of the show in season 1. She is the primary physician for the entire Ark, and then, for what’s left of humanity on the ground. Not only is she Clarke’s mother, but she also plays a maternal role for Raven Reyes and acts as a leader in many different situations. She is a caring figure, through and through.

Even though Madi isn’t her blood granddaughter, she treats her as such and becomes a Nightblood in season 6 to protect her. That leads to Russell Lightbourne using her body as a host for his wife Simone. Abby is already among The 100 deaths before Clarke even knows what Russell did. Abby dying is tough enough on its own, but the fact that her own daughter has to be the one to float her body is then devastating.

Emori

Dies Of Injuries (But Is Resurrected)

Similar to Diyoza, Emori is someone fans didn’t expect to love at first. The Nomadic Grounder meets John Murphy and seems more like a passing flirt than anything else. She ends up playing a big role from season four onwards and really helps to humanize Murphy. Emori and Murphy have one of the show’s best relationships. They always survive together and look out for each other.

So, when Emori dies in The 100 series finale, it is truly disheartening, especially seeing Murphy’s reaction. He resurrects her using his own body as a host, and they have the choice of whether to transcend, which lessens the blow. Ultimately, they both chose not to transcend. Emori is given a second chance to live her life out on Earth with her friends, a surprisingly merciful move by the race of beings responsible for transcendence in the first place. Even though she gets a happy ending, her momentary death is still one of the most heartbreaking moments in The 100.

Lexa kom Trikru

Accidentally Shot

If forced to list the most beloved characters in The 100, Lexa would rank right near the top. The Commander of the Grounders at the start of the show, she is tough as nails and is often talked about with respect by characters twice or three times her age. She eventually forms a romantic relationship with Clarke. Her death upset many viewers, especially due to how it happened.

Lexa isn’t given a major sendoff. After sharing her bed with Clarke for the first time, she is accidentally shot and killed off by an advisor who intends to kill Clarke instead, which the show’s writers have been heavily criticized for as it feeds into the “bury your gays” trope in modern media. Lexa’s death does allow the series to explore how Hedas are chosen and the scarcity of Nightbloods, but those storylines come with a huge cost.

Alycia Debnam-Carey left the role of Lexa when becoming a series regular on
Fear The Walking Dead
, but did return for guest star appearances as Lexa after leaving
The 100
.

Lincoln kom Trikru

Executed By Pike

In the eyes of many, Octavia Blake is the most complex character with the most growth in the series. A major part of that is her relationship with Lincoln. Lincoln is a Trikru Grounder who helps her become who she is by the end of the story. He’s the first Grounder she meets who doesn’t immediately try to kill her and the two form a bond. Eventually, they fall in love and teach one another about their people. Their love is strong enough to help him recover from being a Reaper as well.

When Charles Pike takes control of Arkadia, he views all Grounders as enemies. To save the other locked-up Grounders, Lincoln stays in captivity and is executed by Pike in a brutal The 100 death as a helpless Octavia watches from afar. Everything about the scene is designed to break hearts as Lincoln sacrifices himself for his people.

The Culling Volunteers

Oxygen Deprivation

The 100’s
writers made it clear that death would be a huge part of the show

Long before numerous tragedies befell characters in the final season, The 100’s writers made it clear that death would be a huge part of the show. That’s due in large part to the culling that occurs on the Ark in the very first season. As the events of unfold, it’s clear that The 100 deaths will only become more numerous as the show continues.

When it’s clear that the Ark doesn’t have a good enough working oxygen system to sustain life, the governing body toys with the idea of simply sealing off one section of the space station and sacrificing people for the greater good. It’s Abby Griffin who finds the idea barbaric and floats the idea of explaining the reality to the people. She wants to ask for volunteers to sacrifice themselves so that the rest of the population can live.

At first, her idea is balked at by others in power, but she makes her plea to the Ark’s residence anyway. Her idea works, and it buys them time, but the story follows one man in particular who sacrifices himself, so his sick daughter can live on. He carries one of her hair clips with him in his final moments. It’s the perfect snapshot of the struggle to survive in the series and the tragedy that comes with it. The culling on the Ark represents humanity at its best and worst and is easily the saddest of The 100 deaths.