Throughout Breaking Bad’s five seasons, Walter White, initially a mild-mannered chemistry teacher, became increasingly ruthless on his journey to becoming Heisenberg. Responsible for almost 300 deaths directly or indirectly, Walt’s descent into villainy is evident, despite not fitting the typical profile of a psychotic murderer.
While some killings were in self-defense, others, including a plane crash, were part of a chain of events he set in motion. Walt’s growing indifference to the deaths he caused highlights the chilling transformation of his character.
Every Person Walter White Killed On Breaking Bad
Emilio Koyama
In Breaking Bad Season 1, Walter White’s initial murders, starting with Emilio, unfolded before the season concluded. Faced with Krazy-8 and Emilio, Walt, cornered by circumstances, cleverly used his chemistry expertise to trick them with a lethal vapor, ultimately killing Emilio.
Krazy-8
Krazy-8’s fate becomes a pivotal dilemma in Breaking Bad Season 1, forcing Walt to grapple with the decision to spare or end his life. After disposing of Emilio’s body, Walt and Jesse face the choice of what to do with Krazy-8. Initially a minor character, Krazy-8 later becomes significant in Better Call Saul. Walt, initially willing to let him go, changes his mind when he realizes Krazy-8 plans to ambush him with a glass shard, leading to Walt killing him in self-defense by choking him to death.
Jane Margolis
Despite Walter White’s numerous killings in Breaking Bad, the death of Jane Margolis stands out as particularly shocking. Introduced and killed in the same season, Jane remains a significant character, with her demise marking the first glimpse of Walt’s deteriorating mental state. While Walt doesn’t directly cause Jane’s death, he watches her succumb to a heroin overdose without intervening, revealing his callousness and relief at the removal of what he perceived as a threat to his partnership with Jesse.
167 Wayfarer 515 Passengers
In Breaking Bad Season 2, Episode 13, “ABQ,” Walter White’s body count spikes as the pink teddy bear, initially foreshadowing Jane’s death, becomes tied to a catastrophic plane collision. Walt’s choice not to intervene in Jane’s overdose indirectly leads to an air traffic controller’s fatal mistake, resulting in 167 deaths. The falling symbolic teddy bear in Walt’s yard is a chilling reminder of the tragic fallout, drawing inspiration from a real-life tragedy and significantly adding to Walt’s kill count.
Dealer Duo
One of Walter White’s pivotal criminal moments in Breaking Bad marks a turning point in his path toward villainy. To save Jesse from a dire situation, Walt tracks him as he plans to confront the drug dealers responsible for Combo’s death. In a tense sequence, Walt unexpectedly appears and runs over the two criminals. The scene concludes with one of Walt’s memorable one-liners, instructing Jesse to “Run.”
Gale Boetticher
Gale Boetticher, skilled in cooking meth at “Heisenberg’s” level, was destined for death in Breaking Bad. As tensions rise between Walt and Gus, they recognize eliminating Gale is the only way to avoid their own demise. Walt manipulates Jesse into carrying out the order, making him the mastermind behind Gale’s murder, even if he doesn’t pull the trigger.
Gus’ Henchmen, Victor
By Breaking Bad Season 4, Walter White fully embraces his dangerous alter ego, Heisenberg. Killing Gus Fring’s henchmen to rescue Jesse, once shocking in Season 1, now aligns with Walt’s evolved character. After indirectly causing Gus’s death, Walt swiftly eliminates the henchmen at the superlab, rescuing Jesse. They bid farewell with a final clean-up and a legendary exit as the lab burns behind them.
Hector, Tyrus, & Gus Fring
Walter White executes his master plan against Gus Fring by manipulating Hector Salamanca, exploiting the paralyzed man’s unique situation. Using a pipe bomb attached to Hector’s wheelchair, Walt orchestrates a deadly explosion that not only kills Hector but also takes out Gus Fring and his associate Tyrus. Despite questions about the realism of Gus’s Breaking Bad death, it remains a memorable and iconic moment.
Mike Ehrmantraut
Among Walter White’s many kills in Breaking Bad, Mike Ehrmantraut’s death was particularly hard for viewers to accept. A fan favorite, Mike, despite being a criminal, retained a sense of morality. His refusal to betray Gus’s imprisoned men led to his demise at the hands of Walt. As Walt leaves Mike to die, he bids farewell to the last traces of humanity and remorse within him, moving closer to his Heisenberg persona than ever before.
Mike’s Imprisoned Men
Following Mike’s demise, Walter White’s priority was eliminating potential threats to his and Jesse’s identity. To safeguard his business, Walt orders the ruthless Jack Welker to murder 10 people connected to Mike. In a series of brutal acts inside the prison, Jack’s infiltrated men carry out the ghastly killings.
Hank Schrader & Steven Gomez
In Breaking Bad, the potential early demise of Hank Schrader in Season 1 contrasts starkly with his eventual murder by Jack Welker, a pivotal moment for Walt. Hank’s death forces Walt to confront the consequences of his drug empire, realizing he bears responsibility for Hank’s fate. This tragic event shatters Walt’s illusions of a successful future and irreparably fractures his family. Compounding the tragedy, another innocent life is lost—Agent Steven Gomez dies in the line of duty.
Lydia Rodarte-Quayle
Lydia, one of Breaking Bad’s most detestable characters, met a satisfying demise as Walter White poisoned her with ricin, forcing her to witness her own gradual deterioration in a treacherous turn of events.
Jack Welker & His Gang
Despite Walter White’s numerous killings in Breaking Bad, the majority of the audience rooted for him and wished for his success as a crime lord. In a dramatic turn, Walt’s remote machine gun eliminates all major Season 5 antagonists, including Jack Welker’s gang, avenging Hank’s death and rescuing Jesse. Recognizing the impact on Jesse, Walt, driven by the idea of redemption, becomes a one-man army. Jack’s death, marked by a solemn cigarette, symbolizes the futility of revenge, a central theme in the final season.
Walter White
Walter White’s final act in Breaking Bad was taking his own life, succumbing to injuries inflicted by his own device. Though not shown on screen, El Camino confirms Walt’s death through a news report. In the finale, “Felina,” Walt acknowledges his mistakes and selfishness, realizing the only way to protect his loved ones is to give in. He dies rejecting the ordinary life he feared, understanding the inherent wrongness of his actions.
