Content warning: This article contains discussions/references to death and suicide.
Chicago Fire has seen several exits over its 12 seasons, and many of the brave firefighters of Firehouse 51 have died on the show. Although it is good to see Chicago Fire Is still popular over a decade after the first premiere, that long-running success has come with a price. Although many characters have come and gone, some will not be able to have the opportunity to return, as they have been permanently killed off the show. Some were even killed off at the height of their popularity, proving that no Chicago Fire Character is safe.
For years, the firefighters and paramedics of Firehouse 51 have struggled to navigate through their grief while still serving the people of Chicago (with some never able to recover from their loss). While certain characters may be safe, some have had the best character exits on television that don’t involve deathThere’s always a possibility that a fan-favorite character could drop at any minute. The number of Chicago Fire Death is not small, and with each subsequent season, it becomes harder and harder to see more characters go.
Character name |
Cause of death |
---|---|
Andy Darden |
Died fighting a fire |
Holly Thomas |
Murdered by Tim Campbell |
Vince Keeler |
Benny Severide killed him |
Rebecca Jones |
Death by suicide |
Leslie Shay |
Died when a beam crushed her |
Wallace Boden, Sr. |
Died after cancer battle |
Danny Borelli |
Died from falling debris |
Anna Turner |
Died of leukemia |
Benny Severide |
Died after a stroke |
Otis Zvonecek |
Died in a mattress store fire |
Julie |
Died during childbirth |
Father Anthony |
Burned to death |
1
Andy Darden (Season 1, Episode 1)
Andy died in the line of duty during a fire
Andy Darden is the first Chicago Fire Death and the very first character the show killed off. Andy’s death came while fighting a fire, and it was the result of disobeying the direct orders of Lieutenant Matt Casey to fall back. The death happened before the pilot’s title card, showing how dangerous the work is for all the firefighters on each mission. Andy actor Corey Sorenson was only there for the pilot (returning in three episodes in flashbacks) and died before viewers could get to know him.
Although Darden didn’t say much, he still deeply impacted the show. His death caused a significant rift between Casey and Kelly Severide that continued through the first season. His passing also sets up the push-and-pull relationship between Casey and Severide, which becomes a true brotherhood as they overcome their grief together. Darden’s death would eventually create more challenges for Casey When he chooses between helping Darden’s two sons or staying in Chicago In season 10.
2
Hallie Thomas (Season 1, Episode 22)
Holly was murdered by Tim Campbell
Although Hallie Thomas and Matt Casey were engaged, they broke up in the first episode. Although they reconcile later in the season, Holly ends up murdered after discovering the clinic she worked at is involved in a corrupt drug ring. When Holly and one of the other nurses found out the truth about the corruption, a career criminal named Tim Campbell hit her in the back of the head and then set the clinic on fire. Firefighters from Firehouse 51 rushed to the clinic to put out the fire and found Hallie. She died in the hospital.
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Death is another stepping stone in Matt Casey’s tragic love life. However, although sad, the storyline was at least the catalyst for many future plots. Not only did it allow the writers to explore a more emotional side to Casey, but Holly’s death sparked an investigation that introduced the Intelligence Unit to the series and allowed the writers to set themselves up. Chicago PD. The exit of the actress Teri Reeves from the series was simply a creative decision for her character and the story.
3
Vince Keeler (Season 2, Episode 15)
Vince is murdered by Benny Severide
Vince Keeler gets involved with the Severide family when he kidnaps Kelly’s sister in a revenge plot. Severide’s father also becomes involved, although the two have a strained relationship, and the father and son come together to save their daughter/sister. Despite being estranged, Severide and his father put their past aside for the family’s good. This act would be the first step on a very long road to reconciliation. Ultimately, Keeler’s death was one of those Chicago Fire Death that was no tears.
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Killer is one of the show’s most hated villains, and it was far from the typical emotional death that quickly became a trademark of Chicago Fire. Keeler was eventually arrested but was released thanks to mysterious connections. However, he disappeared, and while an investigation against Firehouse 51 began, Kelly’s father admitted the murder to Voight, who dismissed him while deciding to cover up the murder.
4
Rebecca Jones (Season 2, Episode 18)
Rebecca died by suicide
When Rebecca Jones arrives at Firehouse 51, she faces pushback from her father and the firehouse members. Rebecca discovers that her father is trying to sabotage her and is trying to put her in a desk job. Her father, a senior in the CFD, believed that only men should be firefighters and worked against his own daughter. However, since firefighting is all Rebecca wants to do, it dawns on her, and she takes her own life.
Rebecca’s close friend, Gabriella Dawson, was particularly hard hit by the loss as she questioned whether becoming a firefighter would be the best idea. Jones’s death also showed viewers the struggles and pressures experienced by first responders And how this can affect their mental health in the long run. Again, the exit has nothing to do with the actress (Daisy Betts), but the story of a deeply personal story.
5
Leslie Shay (Season 3, Episode 1)
Leslie died when a beam fell on her in a fire
Leslie Shay is Gabby Dawson’s partner on Ambulance 61 and Kelly Severide’s best friend. While responding to a fire, Shay and the rest of Firehouse 51 are trapped when the roof collapses. It wasn’t until the season 3 premiere that the show revealed that Shay had joined the list of Chicago Fire Death, as She was killed after a beam hit her in the head. A serial arsonist, Trenton Lamont, was stalking Shay and set the fire that caused her death.
Shay’s passing sends Kelly into a downward spiral but also opens the door for Severide to begin working as an arson investigator. This Chicago Fire Death was the hardest to stomach, because Shi was one of Chicago Fires most lovely letters. Shay’s death was the writer’s choice to add drama. Executive producer Matt Olmstead said, “We gave everyone a day in court. We came back to Shay because it affected the most people“(by TV line).
6
Wallace Boden Sr. (Season 3, Episode 15)
Wallace Boden Sr. died after a battle with cancer
When Chief Baden and his father were reunited, Baden was devastated to find out. His father was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Considering that Boden was seen to be a pillar of support for Firehouse 51 and always knew what to say or do when everyone was at a low point, it was heartbreaking to see how lost he was. Boden just wanted his father to see his grandson grow up and for them to enjoy each other’s company.
Boden didn’t have much time with his father either, because he sadly passed away a few days after his visit. Played by Richard Roundtree (the original Silent), viewers didn’t get a chance to know Boden Sr. He was only on four episodes, introduced in the 11th episode of season 3, “Let Him Die,” and dying in the 14th episode.
7
Danny Borrelli (Season 4, Episode 22)
Danny was crushed under falling debris
Danny Borrelli is out Chicago Fire As Jimmy’s older brother, a candidate on Track 81. During a call, Danny is crushed under the debris of the building As it collapsesWhich causes Jimmy to become a little reckless as he tries to get him out while debris falls around him. Chief Boden has to physically remove him from the scene, and this event leads to Jimmy and the chief having a strained relationship.
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There wasn’t enough time to connect with Danny, so it was one of those Chicago Fire Deaths that aren’t particularly hard to watch, but Jimmy’s struggle certainly was. While Danny only made limited appearances on the show, it was clear that he was close to his little brother when he did show up.. The fact that Danny had watched over his brother after their mother died made his specific death difficult for Jimmy to take in the long term.
8
Anna Turner (Season 5, Episode 20)
Anna died after a leukemia diagnosis
Anna and Severide are another tragic TV couple separated by death. The nurse sadly passed away after being diagnosed with leukemia. Severide initially met her in season 5 when he went to the hospital with a neck injury. Then he found out he was a bone-marrow match for Anna and gave it to her, which helped her a little, but the cancer returned. Severide spent her last days with her in the hospital.
Although the storyline would inevitably have an unhappy ending, it is still heartbreaking to see the death of the Chicago Fire Character. Anna was loved, as her quirky personality and good attitude meant everyone warmed up to her. Unlike Severide’s previous love interests, She had no problems with other characters, which was a refreshing change. While Anna was only in a few episodes, it was hard to see her go because she and Severide made a great couple.
9
Benny Severide (Season 7, Episode 6)
Benny dies after a stroke
In season 7, Severide deals with another loss in his life when he discovers that his father, Benny, has died of a stroke. Benny was involved in some controversy back in season 2 when he was held responsible for killing Wayne Keelerwho captured his daughter. Voight had him leave town until things blew over, and he returned for one episode in the fourth season before dying in season 7.
This leads Kelly to have to deal with his unresolved feelings for Benny after he shuts down his feelings, which strains his relationship with everyone around him. However, through their shared loss, Severide and the Chief at least become closerBut Severide doesn’t fully deal with the impact of this loss until season 9 when he admits in “Strange Things Remind Us” that he still thinks about his dad.
10
Brian “Otis” Zwonekek (Season 8, Episode 1)
Otis died while fighting a mattress factory fire
One of the most impressive deaths in the series, Otis sacrificed himself to save other members of Firehouse 51 during a mattress factory fire. A boiler exploded while the camera was fighting the fire at Arnow Mattress, creating a backdraft. Otis closed a steel door to protect the other firefighters and was left to fight the fire alone. The team rushed him to the hospital, where he died from extensive injuries.
As one of the most emotional Chicago Fire Death, the whole dynamic of the fire house changes after that. The sudden departure of a favorite character was shocking and unexpectedHow it was so fast, and Otis had everything going for him up to that point. The death was another death the writers put in to heighten the drama, with series creator Derek Haas saying, “We have to put some teeth back into the show, and we have to show that the dangers are real“(by TV line).
11
Julie (Season 8, Episode 18)
Julie Dies after giving birth
In season 8, paramedic Sylvie Brett reconnects with her birth mother, Julie. Brett never knew her mother growing up, as she was given up for children when she was 16. However, Julie wants to make up for it. She tells Brett she is pregnant and wants her to be involved in her sister’s life. Unfortunately, it wasn’t long before things took a turn for the worse Julie dies after giving birth, leaving Sylvie to help care for her newborn sister, Amelia, with the baby’s father, Scott.
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Sylvie’s connection with her sister allows the paramedic to hold on to the piece of Julie she never had before. Julie’s death also leaves Sylvie questioning what is important to her And makes her take a chance on her love for Matt Casey, which was the silver lining of the story arc.
12
Father Anthony (Season 10, Episode 6)
An arsonist murders Father Anthony
Although not a major character, Father Anthony’s death in season 10 was horrific, as Severide saw the man get beaten and set on fire by an arsonist. The death happened after someone set the church on fire and then came back later to exact more revenge against Anthony. Since Father Anthony cannot identify the individual due to the extensive injuries putting him in an induced coma, this leads to Severide resuming his position as an arson investigator and setting out to find the serial arsonist.
The death also significantly impacted the course of season 10
Father Anthony’s murder was easily one of the most violent Chicago Fire Death, and it was hard to watch, not because of the emotional connection but simply because of how evil it was. The death also significantly impacted the course of season 10, How it pushed Severide harder in his role as an arson investigator away from the team and eventually led to him deciding to stop messing around and marry Stella Kidd.
Characters who left the show but didn’t die
While character deaths are a great way to introduce drama to the series, it’s also a way for a character’s departure to do the same thing, albeit with a chance for the character to return down the line. The last character to be “departed” did not leave, but retired from his regular cast duties to take on a recurring role. The character was Eamonn Walker as Wallace Boden, who quit his job as chief to take a higher position, removing him from most of the action. Chicago Fire Showrunner Andrea Newman said:
“Any change in his position on fire will be like an earthquake. The vibe on set for the finale was just, hold on to Eamonn as tight as you can. Every minute with him is a gift.”
The most significant character to leave Chicago Fire Was Cara Kilmer as Sylvie Brett. Next to Severide, Brett was the most important member of the cast, so when she left the series in February 2024, it sent shockwaves through the fanbase. Sylvie left the show to get married to Matt Casey (Jesse Spencer), and they moved to Oregon. “I had a lot of time to process Sylvie’s exitKilmer said. “And so the last six episodes, and certainly the last episode, all felt like bonuses to me.”
Along with Sylvie, Jesse Spencer’s Matt Casey also left the series, although he initially departed in 2021. Alberto Rosende also left Chicago Fire As Blake Gallo in season 12, with the character moving to Michigan to be closer to relatives. Other characters who have left the hit show are Adriyan Rae as Gianna Mackey, Annie Ilonzeh as Emily Foster, Monica Raymund as Gabriela Dawson, Steven R. McQueen as Jimmy Borelli, Dora Madison Burge as Jessica Chilton, and Charlie Barnett as Peter Mills.