Chicago Fire has seen several exits over its 12 seasons, and many of the brave firefighters of Firehouse 51 have died in the show. Although it’s good to see Chicago Fire is still popular over a decade after it first premiered, that long-running success has come at a cost. While many characters have come and gone, some will not be able to have the opportunity to return, as they were 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 being able to recover from their loss). While certain characters might appear safe, and some have had the best character exits on TV that don’t involve death, there’s always a possibility a fan-favorite character can drop at any minute. The number of Chicago Fire deaths isn’t small, and with each subsequent season, it gets harder and harder to watch more characters go.
| Character Name | Cause Of Death |
|---|---|
| Andy Darden | Died Fighting A Fire |
| Hallie Thomas | Murdered By Tim Campbell |
| Vince Keeler | Bennie Severide Killed Him |
| Rebecca Jones | Death By Suicide |
| Leslie Shay | Died When A Beam Crushed Her |
| Wallace Boden, Sr. | Died Following Cancer Battle |
| Danny Borrelli | Died From Falling Debris |
| Anna Turner | Died From Leukemia |
| Benny Severide | Died Following A Stroke |
| Otis Zvonecek | Died Fighting 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 Lieutenant Matt Casey’s direct orders to fall back. This death happened before the pilot’s title card, showing how dangerous the job is for all these firefighters on every 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 profoundly 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)
Hallie Was Murdered By Tim Campbell
Though Hallie Thomas and Matt Casey were engaged, they broke up in the first episode. Though they reconcile later in the season, Hallie ends up murdered after discovering the clinic she worked in is involved in a corrupt drug ring. When Hallie and one of the other nurses found the truth about the corruption, a career criminal named Tim Campbell struck her in the back of the head and then set the clinic on fire. The firefighters of Firehouse 51 rushed to the clinic to put out the fire and found Hallie. She died at the hospital.
This death is another stepping stone in Matt Casey’s tragic love life. However, while sad, the storyline was at least the catalyst for many future plots. Not only did it allow the writers to explore more of an emotional side to Casey, but Hallie’s death sparked an investigation that introduced the Intelligence Unit to the series and allowed the writers to set up Chicago PD. Actress Teri Reeves’s exit from the series was simply a creative decision for her character and the story.
3.Vince Keeler (Season 2, Episode 15)
Vince Was 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, even though 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 their long road to reconciliation. Ultimately, Keeler’s demise was one of the Chicago Fire deaths that wasn’t a tearjerker.
Keeler 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 ended up arrested but was released thanks to mysterious connections. However, he disappeared, and while an investigation against Firehouse 51 started, Kelly’s dad admitted the murder to Voight, who let him off 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 attempting to put her in a desk job. Her dad, 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 weighs on her, and she takes her own life.
Rebecca’s closest friend, Gabriella Dawson, was hit especially hard 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 first responders experience and how it can affect their mental health in the long run. Once again, the exit had nothing to do with the actress (Daisy Betts), but the telling of a deeply personal story.
5.Leslie Shay (Season 3, Episode 1)
Leslie Died When A Beam Fell Onto 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 deaths, as she was killed after a beam struck 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 start working as an arson investigator. This Chicago Fire death was the hardest to stomach, given that Shay was one of Chicago Fire‘s most likable characters. Shay’s death was the writer’s choice to add drama. Executive producer Matt Olmstead said, “We gave everybody a day in court. We came back to Shay because it affected the most people” (via TV Line).
6.Wallace Boden Sr. (Season 3, Episode 15)
Wallace Boden Sr. Died Following A Battle With Cancer
When Chief Boden and his father reconnected, Boden was devastated to find out that his father had been 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. All Boden wanted was for his father to see his grandson grow up and for them to enjoy each other’s company.
Actor Richard Roundtree, who played Wallace Boden, Sr., died in 2023 at 81.
Boden didn’t get much time with his father either, as he sadly passed away a couple of days into his visit. Played by Richard Roundtree (the original Shaft), 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 appears in Chicago Fire as Jimmy’s older brother, a candidate on Truck 81. During a call, Danny is crushed under the debris of the building as it collapses, which causes Jimmy to become a little reckless as he tries to get him out while debris falls around him. Chief Boden has to physically pull him away from the scene, and the event leads to Jimmy and the chief having a strained relationship
There wasn’t enough time to connect with Danny, so it was one of the Chicago Fire deaths that wasn’t particularly hard to watch, but Jimmy’s struggle certainly was. While Danny only made limited appearances on the show, it was clear he was close to his little brother when he did show up. The fact Danny had watched over his brother after their mother died made his specific death harder for Jimmy to take over 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 she had been diagnosed with leukemia. Severide had initially met her in season 5 when he went to the hospital with a neck injury. He then learned he was a bone marrow match for Anna and donated it, which helped her somewhat, but the cancer returned. Severide spent her last days with her at the hospital.
Although the storyline would inevitably have an unhappy ending, it was still heartbreaking to see the death of the Chicago Fire character. Anna was likable, as her funny personality and kind attitude meant everyone warmed up to her. Unlike Severide’s previous love interests, she had no issues with other characters, which was a refreshing change. While Anna was only in a few episodes, it was tough to see her go, given that she and Severide made a great couple.
9.Benny Severide (Season 7, Episode 6)
Benny Dies Following A Stroke
In season 7, Severide deals with another loss in his life as he discovers that his father, Benny, died of a stroke. Benny was involved in some controversy back in season 2 when he was responsible for the murder of Vin Keeler, who had kidnapped 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 toward Benny after having shut down his feelings, which strains his relationship with everyone around him. However, through their shared loss, Severide and the Chief at least become closer, but Severide doesn’t fully deal with the impact of this loss until season 9 when he admits in “Funny What Things Remind Us” that he still thinks about his dad.
10.Brian “Otis” Zvonecek (Season 8, Episode 1)
Otis Died While Fighting A Mattress Factory Fire
One of the most impactful deaths in the series, Otis sacrificed himself to save other members of Firehouse 51 during a mattress factory fire. A boiler exploded while the unit fought the fire at Arnow Mattress, creating a backdraft. Otis slammed a steel door shut to protect the other firefighters and remained alone to fight the fire. The team rushed him to the hospital, where he died from extensive injuries.
Before he died, Otis said, “Brother, I will be with you always,” to Joe Cruz.
As one of the most emotional Chicago Fire deaths, the whole dynamic of the firehouse changes after this. The sudden departure of a beloved character was shocking and unexpected, as it was so quick, and Otis had everything going for him up until that point. This death was another one that the writers put in to increase the drama, with series creator Derek Haas saying, “We gotta put some teeth back into the show, and we gotta show that the dangers are real” (via 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 adoption when she was 16. However, Julie wants to make up for it. She tells Brett she’s pregnant and wants her to be involved in her sibling’s life. Unfortunately, it isn’t long until things take a turn for the worse when Julie dies after giving birth, leaving Sylvie to help care for her newborn sister, Amelia, with the baby’s dad, Scott.
Sylvie’s connection with her sister allows the paramedic to hold on to the pieces of Julie she never had before. Julie’s death also leaves Sylvie questioning what matters to her and makes her take a chance on her love for Matt Casey, which was the story arc’s silver lining.
12.Father Anthony (Season 10, Episode 6)
An Arsonist Murdered Father Anthony
Although not a major character, Father Anthony’s death in season 10 was horrific, as Severide had seen the man get beaten and set on fire by an arsonist. This death happened after someone set the church on fire and then came back later to exact more vengeance against Anthony. Since Father Anthony couldn’t identify the individual due to the extensive injuries putting him in an induced coma, this leads to Severide reprising his position as an arson investigator and setting out to find the serial arsonist.
This death also significantly impacted the course of season 10
Father Anthony’s murder was easily one of the most violent Chicago Fire deaths, and it was hard to watch, not because of the emotional connection but simply because of how sinister it was. This death also significantly impacted the course of season 10, as 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 big way to introduce drama to the series, there is 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 most recent character who “left” didn’t leave but stepped back from his regular cast duties to take a recurring role. This character was Eamonn Walker as Wallace Boden, who left his job as the chief to take a higher position, moving him away from most of the action. Chicago Fire showrunner Andrea Newman said:
” Any change in his position on Fire is going to be like an earthquake coming through. The vibe on set for the finale was just, hold onto Eamonn as tight as you can. Every minute with him is a gift.”
The most significant character to leave Chicago Fire was Kara Killmer as Sylvie Brett. Next to Severide, Brett was the most important cast member, 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 exit,” Killmer said. “And so these last six episodes, and certainly the last episode, all felt like bonus 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 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.
