Full spoilers ahead for every single movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe!
While it's seldom final in Marvel Comics, death has so far been permanent in the MCU -- with the exception of the Avengers' success in undoing Thanos' snap in Endgame, of course. And variants of those who have died in the Sacred Timeline. But table all that and check out our extended obit page for all the significant characters who have perished for real in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Mind you, we’re leaving out cannon fodder background characters like the armies of Asgard and the Chitauri to focus on the most notable leading and supporting players seen throughout the Infinity Saga, starting all the way back with ...
The MCU’s first big bad met his end when he got fried by a blast from Tony Stark’s Arc Reactor while suited up in his Iron Monger armor. Stane then plummeted down into the reactor, which exploded into flames.
A captive of the Ten Rings in Afghanistan, Yinsen first saved Tony’s life when he operated on his shrapnel wound and made an electromagnetic plate to keep it from reaching his heart. Having lost his family in a terrorist attack, Yinsen later sacrificed himself to help Tony escape, suffering fatal gunshot wounds. His dying words to Tony were for him to not waste his life.
The leader of the Ten Rings terrorist cell that kidnapped Tony Stark in Afghanistan, Raza was betrayed by Obadiah Stane, who paralyzed him with a Sonic Taser before his goons slew Raza and his men.
Left badly wounded by Iron Man and War Machine’s simultaneous blast, Whiplash triggers all his drones to detonate, destroying himself and much of the Stark Expo.
Howard Stark’s former partner and co-creator of the Arc Reactor, this Russian scientist died broke and bitter that all he could leave his son Ivan was his knowledge. A vengeful Ivan then builds his first weapons as Whiplash over the opening credits of Iron Man 2.
“‘Your death came at the hand of Laufey,” he boasted. Laufey, the king of the Frost Giants of Jotunheim and Loki’s biological father, was poised to kill his old enemy Odin when he was shot in the back by Loki. As Laufey lay wounded, Loki said, “And your death came by the son of Odin.” The god of mischief then blasted his birth father (who had abandoned him as an infant) to smithereens with the magic weapon Gungnir.
Shot by Hydra agent Heinz Kruger moments after successfully administering the Super Soldier formula to Steve Rogers, the kindly Dr. Erskine died tapping Steve’s heart, reminding him to remain, as he’d previously asked, a good man.
After killing Dr. Erskine and making off with a vial of the Super Soldier formula, Hydra agent Heinz Kruger was chased down by Steve Rogers (in his first outing with super powers). After being pulled from his sub by Steve, Kruger bit open a cyanide capsule hidden in his teeth and died hailing Hydra.
SHIELD agent Phil Coulson helped unite Earth’s Mightiest Heroes at a key moment in their burgeoning team-building when he was stabbed in the back by Loki. And while as far as the big screen MCU is concerned Coulson has long been deceased, he was in fact later resurrected via Project T.A.H.I.T.I. to lead the small screen Agents of SHIELD. During the show’s fifth season, Coulson eventually accepted that he was terminally ill, finally heading off to Tahiti for real this time to enjoy his final days with Melinda May.
Tony Stark thought he’d blown up Aldrich Killian by trapping him inside his Iron Man armor and having it self-destruct, but the Extremis-fueled Killian survived the blast albeit badly burned. Just as he was declaring “I am the Mandarin!” to Tony, Pepper -- who was also infected with the Extremis tech -- batted him away with a plank. She then kicked an explosive at Killian and blasted it with Iron Man’s repulsor gauntlet to finally destroy Killian once and for all.
After getting a lecture from a captured Tony on how she once had a moral compass, Maya tried to redeem herself by threatening to kill herself unless her collaborator Aldrich Killian freed Tony. Killian called her bluff and shot her.
A.I.M. boss Aldrich Killian’s goons included Extremis-infused veterans Eric Savin, Jack Taggert, and Ellen Brandt. Savin was shot clear through by the unibeam in Iron Man’s Mach XLII armor during the hijacking of Air Force One. Taggart self-destructed during an attack on the Chinese Theater in L.A., badly injuring Happy Hogan in the blast. Brandt got blown up when Tony pulled the old gas leak/metal in a microwave trick,
Thor’s mother was slain by Malekith’s henchman Kurse during their invasion of Asgard. Frigga would not reveal the location of the Aether so Kurse executed her. Frigga would return for a small but pivotal appearance in Avengers: Endgame, although it didn’t alter her grim fate.
The limbless Dark Elf -- who had been teleported to Svartalfheim -- was crushed and killed when his vessel, the Ark, fell on him.
Although impaled by Loki, Kurse then impaled Loki on the same blade! But the God of Mischief pulled a fast one, activating one of the Black Hole Grenades on Kurse’s belt. Kurse’s body was then sucked into the black hole it created.
This Hydra leader was serving as the secretary overseeing SHIELD at the time of his death. Pierce was fatally shot by Nick Fury, his last words being, “Hail Hydra” ...
Peggy was elderly and suffering from dementia when she was visited at her sickbed by former flame Steve Rogers. And although she passed away off-camera in that film, Avengers: Endgame saw her return to the screen for the happy ending so many fans always wanted for her and Cap.
The veteran SHIELD agent turned out to be a Hydra ally but died a quick death when the Winter Soldier tore him out of a moving car, threw him onto the highway, and let a passing tractor trailer truck take care of the rest.
Hydra scientist Arnim Zola survived World War II and went to work for SHIELD. in the early ‘70s, Zola was dying of natural causes when he transferred his consciousness into a series of computer banks at Camp Lehigh. There, he survived for decades until a missile strike aimed at killing Cap and Widow finally ended his existence.
The surviving Guardians finally came together as a team to defeat the Kree extremist Ronan. The Guardians held hands to help Peter Quill channel the cosmic energy of the Power Stone, which he then blasted Ronan with in order to kill him.
Drax got the upper hand of Korath during their brawl and tore the cybernetic enhancement from Korath’s head, which sent him into electric spasms. Drax also got the last word: ”Finger to the throat means death … metaphor.”
The fully grown Groot gave up his life to protect his fellow Guardians by forming a sphere around them as the Dark Aster fell from the sky. When asked by a teary-eyed Rocket why he was sacrificing himself, his best friend simply replied, “We are Groot.” Director James Gunn subsequently made it clear that Baby Groot was this Groot’s “son” and not the same character brought back to life.
Peter Quill’s mom died of brain cancer when Peter was 8-years-old. It wasn’t revealed until Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 that her illness was deliberately caused by Peter’s biological father, Ego, so that he wouldn’t be tempted to keep returning to Earth and forego his mission.
Ronan killed Thanos’ flunky, The Other, for scolding him over how he spoke to Thanos. Ronan snapped The Other’s head around with a single blast from his Kree war-hammer, the Cosmi-Rod.
The Denarian of the Nova Corps died during the Battle of Xandar, protecting his homeworld from Ronan the Accuser, when the Dark Aster crushed through the Nova Corps’ interlocking blockade.
Speedster Pietro Maximoff began as an adversary of the Avengers before redeeming himself during Ultron’s attack on Sokovia. Alas, Quicksilver turned out to not be faster than a speeding bullet, taking fire when he raced in to save Hawkeye.
After a thoughtful exchange about life, death, and humanity, Ultron lunges at Vision who vaporizes him with a blast from the Mind Stone in his forehead.
This Hydra leader failed to impress Ultron, who smashed his head into a wall and then scrawled “peace” in his blood.
Scott Lang's insect companion/ride got shot out from under him by Darren Cross. RIP, valiant steed.
Ant-Man wreaked havoc on the inner workings of Yellowjacket’s suit, causing it to collapse in on itself and crush him down to the subatomic level.
After causing the car accident that badly injured them, Bucky Barnes -- then operating as the brainwashed assassin known as the Winter Soldier -- proceeded to kill Tony Stark’s parents with his bare hands so it looked like the accident killed them.
T’Chaka -- king of Wakanda, former Black Panther, and T’Challa’s father -- died when Helmut Zemo bombed the signing of the Sokovia Accords in Vienna.
Brock Rumlow tried to blow himself and Cap up but Scarlet Witch contained the explosion within an energy field. Unfortunately, although she saved Cap, Scarlet Witch unintentionally caused the death of several Wakandan citizens when she hurled the explosion too close to a nearby office building.
She’d lived for centuries but finally died during a battle with Kaecillius when he stabbed her with a Space Shard and kicked her through a portal, where she plummeted through a glass canopy and crashed into the pavement. The Ancient One’s astral form had a final conversation with Stephen Strange about the acceptance of death before she finally succumbed to her injuries.
The protector of the New York Sanctum was overrun by Kaecilius and his zealots, who murdered him. Doctor Strange witnessed it.
Baby Groot planted a bomb on Ego the Living Planet’s brain while his human form battled his son Peter Quill. Ego’s human form then crumbled to dust in Peter’s hands, who lost his own Celestial powers in the process.
The former Ravager redeemed himself by saving his “son” Peter Quill as Ego’s planet was destroyed, giving Quill the last space suit so that he could survive. Yondu then perished from the suffocating cold of outer space.
Yondu triggered the explosion that would ultimately destroy the spaceship Eclector. Taserface died the butt of a joke as the Sovereign who answered his call burst out laughing at his name.
After threatening to expose their illegal activity to the authorities and Vulture’s wife, this incarnation of Shocker, thief Jackson Brice, was (accidentally) disintegrated by Vulture, who thought he was firing an anti-gravity gun at him. Ooops, turned out to be a Chitauri blaster.
The All-Father has been through a lot by the time he finally allowed himself to leave this plane of existence, dissipating into energy as his sons Thor and Loki sat beside him.
In order to defeat Hela, Thor and Loki unleashed the giant fire demon Surtur upon Asgard to unleash the apocalypse Ragnarok, destroying the goddess of death and their home in the process.
Skurge redeems himself by going out guns blazing against the forces of Hela in order to save the escaping Asgardians, before finally being felled by one of Hela’s Necroswords.
This giant fire demon destroyed Asgard and himself when he unleashed the prophetic Ragnarok.
Hela’s Necroswords made quick work of both Volstagg and Fandral. Hogun fared the best of the trio but still perished along with the bulk of the Asgardian army when Hela returned.
Erik Killmonger suffered a mortal injury during his final battle with T’Challa, who then carried him out to see the sun set over Wakandan. Killmonger asked to be buried at sea like his ancestors who jumped from slave ships because they preferred death to bondage.
Killmonger impaled Zuri with his own spear when the shaman offered his own life in place of the severely beaten T’Challa, admitting to his own culpability in the death of Killmonger’s father, N’Jobu.
Killmonger’s dad was slain by his own brother, T’Chaka, during a confrontation in Oakland. T’Chaka, in his guise as Black Panther, popped his claws into his brother’s abdomen.
This weapons dealer/merc thought using Killmonger’s girlfriend Linda as a human shield would buy him an out. He thought wrong and ended up as Killmonger’s ticket into Wakanda.
Thanos’ favorite daughter was the cost he was willing to pay to acquire the Soul Stone, tossing her off a cliff on Vormir in order to attain it. Her past self is now on the loose in the current MCU timeline although she has no connection to any of the Guardians of the Galaxy.
Thanos choked out his one time minion in order to attain the Tesseract, telling the God of Mischief there would be no more resurrections for him.
The android Avenger had his life force sapped from him when Thanos tore the Mind Stone from his forehead. It remains possible though that most of his data had been copied by Shuri at the time of his destruction so perhaps he will return. (How exactly Vision will appear in the upcoming Disney+ series WandaVision remains to be seen.)
The protector of the Bifrost had no sooner led the Asgardians from safety following the events of Ragnarok than he was slain by Thanos when the Asgardian ship was attacked.
The Children of Thanos -- Ebony Maw, Cull Obsidian, Proxima Midnight, and Corvus Glaive -- all perished battling the Avengers at different points during Infinity War. Their 2014 selves traveled forward through time to 2023 in Avengers: Endgame to help Thanos invade Earth, where they all once again killed, this time getting dusted by Iron Man’s Infinity snap.
Already badly injured in the crash of Carol Danvers’ jet, the Kree scientist Mar-Vell, in her guise as Dr. Wendy Lawson, was finally shot dead by Yon-Rogg.
This Starforce member’s spacecraft was taken out in a sneak maneuver during a dogfight with Maria Rambeau.
Talos' "science guy," this Skrull bought time for Carol Danvers and Co. to escape with his life but his masquerade as Vers was quickly figured by Yon-Rogg, who shot him.
This Yakuza boss died at the business end of a sword wielded by former Hawkeye Clint Barton, operating under the post-Snap guise of the vengeful Ronin.
This past, bad version of Thanos’ less beloved daughter died at the hands of her future, good self, who shot her in order to save her sister Gamora.
Not one but two different versions of Thanos died in Endgame. First, the “retired” one who destroyed the Infinity Stones and lost his head to Thor’s Stormbreaker. And then, second, his 2014 self who traveled into the future where he and his army were dusted by Iron Man’s Infinity snap.
The spy-turned-superhero fell to her death on Vormir in order to keep her friend Hawkeye alive and make sure he returned with the Soul Stone. By all accounts, Natasha’s Death is permanent.
Tony Stark gave up his life to snap Thanos and his invading forces out of existence, despite knowing what wielding such cosmic power would do to his mere mortal form.
While Maria's death happened off-screen, we learned during the opening sequence of WandaVision's fourth episode that she had cancer and was in the hospital for surgery at the time of The Snap. Her daughter, Monica, perished in The Snap, and in the years between then and when Monica Blipped back, Maria's cancer returned and she passed away. We also learned that in the years since we last saw her in Captain Marvel that Maria's cosmic encounters led her to not only become one of the founding members of S.W.O.R.D. but that she was serving as its Director at the time of her death.
Agatha Harkness killed her own mother, Evanora, and her coven of witches back in 1693 when they put her on trial. Agatha drew their own magical power from them during their attack on her and killed them with energy blasts.
Briefly the pet of Billy and Tommy Maximoff, this poor pooch was found dead in the yard of their neighbor Agnes, aka Agatha Harkness, who claimed he died after eating her plants. But, as she later confessed in song, Agatha actually killed Sparky.
A recreation of the slain Avenger based on Wanda's memories, this Vision was essentially a prisoner of The Hex surrounding Westview. As he became increasingly self-aware, he ultimately accepted that he would have to "die" in this fabricated reality in order to save the other residents and restore order
While it appeared that Wanda Maximoff sacrificed her super-powered twin sons, Billy and Tommy, when she destroyed The Hex, the very end of WandaVision suggests the boys may still exist. Voices can be heard as Wanda's astral form studies the mystical tome known as The Darkhold.
The revolutionary leader Karli Morgenthau was gunned down by Sharon Carter, aka the Power Broker, in the final episode of the Disney Plus series.
As the Disney Plus series came to a close, Karli Morgenthau's super-soldier acolytes -- including Dovich, Gigi, DeeDee, Lennox, and Matias -- all meet a series of grisly ends. Several are blown up by Helmut Zemo's butler Oeznik, while Karli's trusted confidante Nico is brutally slain in full view of the public by then-Captain America John Walker.
John Walker's best friend and war buddy Lemar Hoskins died while fighting Flag Smashers leader Karli Morgenthau, who, thanks to the super-soldier serum, kicked him with enough force to kill him.
This mercenary was gunned down by Sharon Carter, aka the Power Broker, in the final episode of the Disney Plus series.
This former Soviet military officer -- the power behind the Red Room -- died along with some of his henchmen when Yelena Belova blew up his aircraft.
Richard E. Grant's elder variant of the god of mischief sacrificed himself helping Loki and Sylvie enchant and outwit Alioth, the cloud monster guardian of the Void.
Jonathan Majors made his MCU debut in the final episode of Season 1 of Loki. He Who Remains created the Time Variance Authority and has lived in the Citadel at the End of Time ever since surviving a multiversal war with his variants (one of whom, Kang, will appear in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania). He was stabbed to death by a vengeful Sylvie, whose action triggers the fracturing of the Sacred Timeline.
The mother of Shang-Chi's mother and wife of Wenwu, Ying Li was murdered by her husband's underworld enemies, the Iron Gang.
Wenwu's enforcer and former mentor of Shang-Chi had his life force sucked from him by the winged minions of the Dweller-in-Darkness. His death prompted Shang-Chi's forces and Wenwu's to form a temporary alliance to take down this shared threat.
The founder and leader of the Ten Rings, Wenwu (played by Tony Leung) was killed by the Dweller-in-Darkness but not before transferring the titular power rings to his son Shang-Chi.
This winged, soul-eating demon was finally taken down by the combined efforts of Shang-Chi, Katy, Xialing, and the Great Protector dragon.
Having entrusted her lieutenant Ikaris with the truth of their existence and mission, Ajak was ultimately betrayed by him when she revealed she wanted to disobey Arishem's command and save Earth. Ikaris led to her an icy location where he tossed her down to have her life force sucked from her by Deviants.
Gilgamesh died protecting Thena and his fellow Deviants, his life force sucked out of him by Deviant leader Kro. His surviving teammates cremated his remains.
Thena sliced up Deviant leader Kro following the Eternals' successfully eliminating the rest of their sworn enemies in battle.
Sersi uses all her newfound powers to prevent the Celestial called Tiamut from completing the Emergence and destroying Earth by turning him to stone. His colossal remains, still protruding from the ocean, have left the world wondering what the hell happened.
Ikaris literally flew close to the sun in the end of Marvel's Eternals, killing himself after betraying his teammates and setting up Ajak's death by the Deviants.
Kate Bishop's dad Derek died during the Battle of New York when the Chitauri destroyed part of the family's home. His debts to "Kingpin" Wilson Fisk prompts his widow Eleanor to break bad (for the sake of her daughter, as she rationalized it).
The murder of the wealthy and powerful elder Duquesne -- uncle of Eleanor Bishop's fiancé Jack Duquesne -- was the "whodunit" of Hawkeye, Season One. Kate Bishop found Armand slain in his brownstone not long after a charity gala he attended was robbed. Eleanor had ordered Armand's murder and framed Jack for it.
The death of Lopez, a member of the Tracksuit Mafia, propels his beloved daughter Maya Lopez to seek vengeance against the vigilante who slew him: Ronin, Clint Barton's post-Blip executioner of the underworld identity.
Tracksuit Mafia soldier Kazi remained loyal to Kingpin and rejected Maya Lopez's offer to break free from their criminal lives, attacking her with a blade in order to fulfill Kingpin's wish to have her killed. Instead, Maya killed Kazi with his own weapon.
Marisa Tomei's Aunt May was mortally wounded by Green Goblin during an attack on Happy Hogan's condo building. While the extent of her injuries was not immediately apparent, she soon died in the arms of her nephew Peter. But before she passed away, May delivered the "with great power comes great responsibility" speech to Peter (which had been given by Uncle Ben in the comics and past films), the first time it's been said in the MCU.
Kingpin
One of the biggest questions many had after the finale of Marvel's Hawkeye was whether Vincent D'Onofrio's Kingpin was actually dead. While Maya seemingly shot and killed him, we don't actually see him die as the camera pans away from the violence. While Marvel may just not want to show a point-blank shot on Disney+, this also may be a chance for Kingpin to return. After all, why bring back D'Onofrio after Daredevil's cancellation for such a short appearance?
In a comics story we won't spoil here, Kingpin did survive Maya's attack - but at a great cost. As in the comics, anything is possible in the MCU so we may very well see Kingpin in the future.
Col. Chester Phillips
He was already a senior citizen by the time of the events of The First Avenger so it stands to reason this gruff military man passed away in the ensuing years. His photo hung at the SHIELD base in Camp Lehigh during the events of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, having passed away in the years following World War II.
Howling Commandos
While Dum Dum Dugan would go on to serve postwar in Agent Carter and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., all of Cap’s former World War II teammates must now be presumed dead. Indeed, a deleted scene from Marvel’s The Avengers showed Cap going through old files where pages listed members James Montgomery Falsworth and Jim Morita as deceased.
Edwin Jarvis
This Agent Carter regular — and young Tony Stark’s future butler, who helped raise him after the death of his parents — passed away in the ensuing years between his appearance in the 1970 time heist in Endgame and Iron Man 1, where “Jarvis” was the name given to Tony’s AI.
Which MCU character death impacted you the most? Let us know in the comments!
For more on the MCU, check out our Avengers: Endgame review, our trailer breakdown for Spider-Man: Far From Home, how Endgame may set-up this classic villain for Phase 4, and who could be the next Iron Man in the MCU.
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While it's seldom final in Marvel Comics, death has so far been permanent in the MCU -- with the exception of the Avengers' success in undoing Thanos' snap in Endgame, of course. And variants of those who have died in the Sacred Timeline. But table all that and check out our extended obit page for all the significant characters who have perished for real in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Mind you, we’re leaving out cannon fodder background characters like the armies of Asgard and the Chitauri to focus on the most notable leading and supporting players seen throughout the Infinity Saga, starting all the way back with ...
Obadiah Stane
- Died In: Iron Man
- Cause of Death: Electrocution/fall/explosion
The MCU’s first big bad met his end when he got fried by a blast from Tony Stark’s Arc Reactor while suited up in his Iron Monger armor. Stane then plummeted down into the reactor, which exploded into flames.
Dr. Ho Yinsen
- Died In: Iron Man
- Cause of Death: Gunshots
A captive of the Ten Rings in Afghanistan, Yinsen first saved Tony’s life when he operated on his shrapnel wound and made an electromagnetic plate to keep it from reaching his heart. Having lost his family in a terrorist attack, Yinsen later sacrificed himself to help Tony escape, suffering fatal gunshot wounds. His dying words to Tony were for him to not waste his life.
Raza
- Died In: Iron Man
- Cause of Death: Gunshots
The leader of the Ten Rings terrorist cell that kidnapped Tony Stark in Afghanistan, Raza was betrayed by Obadiah Stane, who paralyzed him with a Sonic Taser before his goons slew Raza and his men.
Whiplash
- Died In: Iron Man 2
- Cause of Death: Explosion/suicide
Left badly wounded by Iron Man and War Machine’s simultaneous blast, Whiplash triggers all his drones to detonate, destroying himself and much of the Stark Expo.
Anton Vanko
- Died In: Iron Man 2
- Cause of Death: Illness
Howard Stark’s former partner and co-creator of the Arc Reactor, this Russian scientist died broke and bitter that all he could leave his son Ivan was his knowledge. A vengeful Ivan then builds his first weapons as Whiplash over the opening credits of Iron Man 2.
Laufey
- Died In: Thor
- Cause of Death: Magic energy blast
“‘Your death came at the hand of Laufey,” he boasted. Laufey, the king of the Frost Giants of Jotunheim and Loki’s biological father, was poised to kill his old enemy Odin when he was shot in the back by Loki. As Laufey lay wounded, Loki said, “And your death came by the son of Odin.” The god of mischief then blasted his birth father (who had abandoned him as an infant) to smithereens with the magic weapon Gungnir.
Dr. Abraham Erskine
- Died In: Captain America: The First Avenger
- Cause of Death: Gunshots
Shot by Hydra agent Heinz Kruger moments after successfully administering the Super Soldier formula to Steve Rogers, the kindly Dr. Erskine died tapping Steve’s heart, reminding him to remain, as he’d previously asked, a good man.
Heinz Kruger
- Died In: Captain America: The First Avenger
- Cause of Death: Poison/suicide
After killing Dr. Erskine and making off with a vial of the Super Soldier formula, Hydra agent Heinz Kruger was chased down by Steve Rogers (in his first outing with super powers). After being pulled from his sub by Steve, Kruger bit open a cyanide capsule hidden in his teeth and died hailing Hydra.
Phil Coulson
- Died In: The Avengers (and then again on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)
- Cause of Death:Stabbing, later illness
SHIELD agent Phil Coulson helped unite Earth’s Mightiest Heroes at a key moment in their burgeoning team-building when he was stabbed in the back by Loki. And while as far as the big screen MCU is concerned Coulson has long been deceased, he was in fact later resurrected via Project T.A.H.I.T.I. to lead the small screen Agents of SHIELD. During the show’s fifth season, Coulson eventually accepted that he was terminally ill, finally heading off to Tahiti for real this time to enjoy his final days with Melinda May.
Aldrich Killian
- Died In: Iron Man 3
- Cause of Death: Explosion
Tony Stark thought he’d blown up Aldrich Killian by trapping him inside his Iron Man armor and having it self-destruct, but the Extremis-fueled Killian survived the blast albeit badly burned. Just as he was declaring “I am the Mandarin!” to Tony, Pepper -- who was also infected with the Extremis tech -- batted him away with a plank. She then kicked an explosive at Killian and blasted it with Iron Man’s repulsor gauntlet to finally destroy Killian once and for all.
Maya Hansen
- Died In: Iron Man 3
- Cause of Death: Gunshot
After getting a lecture from a captured Tony on how she once had a moral compass, Maya tried to redeem herself by threatening to kill herself unless her collaborator Aldrich Killian freed Tony. Killian called her bluff and shot her.
Extremis Agents
- Died In: Iron Man 3
- Cause of Death: Assorted Blasts
A.I.M. boss Aldrich Killian’s goons included Extremis-infused veterans Eric Savin, Jack Taggert, and Ellen Brandt. Savin was shot clear through by the unibeam in Iron Man’s Mach XLII armor during the hijacking of Air Force One. Taggart self-destructed during an attack on the Chinese Theater in L.A., badly injuring Happy Hogan in the blast. Brandt got blown up when Tony pulled the old gas leak/metal in a microwave trick,
Frigga
- Died In: Thor: The Dark World
- Cause of Death: Stabbing
Thor’s mother was slain by Malekith’s henchman Kurse during their invasion of Asgard. Frigga would not reveal the location of the Aether so Kurse executed her. Frigga would return for a small but pivotal appearance in Avengers: Endgame, although it didn’t alter her grim fate.
Malekith the Accursed
- Died In: Thor: The Dark World
- Cause of Death: Crushed
The limbless Dark Elf -- who had been teleported to Svartalfheim -- was crushed and killed when his vessel, the Ark, fell on him.
Kurse/Algrim
- Died In: Thor: The Dark World
- Cause of Death: Black Hole Grenade
Although impaled by Loki, Kurse then impaled Loki on the same blade! But the God of Mischief pulled a fast one, activating one of the Black Hole Grenades on Kurse’s belt. Kurse’s body was then sucked into the black hole it created.
Alexander Pierce
- Died In: Captain America: The Winter Soldier
- Cause of Death: Gunshot
This Hydra leader was serving as the secretary overseeing SHIELD at the time of his death. Pierce was fatally shot by Nick Fury, his last words being, “Hail Hydra” ...
Peggy Carter
- Died In: Captain America: Civil War
- Cause of Death: Old age
Peggy was elderly and suffering from dementia when she was visited at her sickbed by former flame Steve Rogers. And although she passed away off-camera in that film, Avengers: Endgame saw her return to the screen for the happy ending so many fans always wanted for her and Cap.
Jasper Sitwell
- Died In: Captain America: The Winter Soldier
- Cause of Death: Hit by a truck
The veteran SHIELD agent turned out to be a Hydra ally but died a quick death when the Winter Soldier tore him out of a moving car, threw him onto the highway, and let a passing tractor trailer truck take care of the rest.
Arnim Zola
- Died In: Captain America: The Winter Soldier
- Cause of Death: Technically illness, but a missile strike dealt the final blow
Hydra scientist Arnim Zola survived World War II and went to work for SHIELD. in the early ‘70s, Zola was dying of natural causes when he transferred his consciousness into a series of computer banks at Camp Lehigh. There, he survived for decades until a missile strike aimed at killing Cap and Widow finally ended his existence.
Ronan the Accuser
- Died In: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1
- Cause of Death: The Power Stone
The surviving Guardians finally came together as a team to defeat the Kree extremist Ronan. The Guardians held hands to help Peter Quill channel the cosmic energy of the Power Stone, which he then blasted Ronan with in order to kill him.
Korath the Pursuer
- Died In: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1
- Cause of Death: Short-Circuited
Drax got the upper hand of Korath during their brawl and tore the cybernetic enhancement from Korath’s head, which sent him into electric spasms. Drax also got the last word: ”Finger to the throat means death … metaphor.”
Groot
- Died In: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1
- Cause of Death: Self-Sacrifice
The fully grown Groot gave up his life to protect his fellow Guardians by forming a sphere around them as the Dark Aster fell from the sky. When asked by a teary-eyed Rocket why he was sacrificing himself, his best friend simply replied, “We are Groot.” Director James Gunn subsequently made it clear that Baby Groot was this Groot’s “son” and not the same character brought back to life.
Meredith Quill
- Died In: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1
- Cause of Death: Brain cancer
Peter Quill’s mom died of brain cancer when Peter was 8-years-old. It wasn’t revealed until Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 that her illness was deliberately caused by Peter’s biological father, Ego, so that he wouldn’t be tempted to keep returning to Earth and forego his mission.
The Other
- Died In: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1
- Cause of Death: Snapped neck
Ronan killed Thanos’ flunky, The Other, for scolding him over how he spoke to Thanos. Ronan snapped The Other’s head around with a single blast from his Kree war-hammer, the Cosmi-Rod.
Garthan Saal
- Died In: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1
- Cause of Death: Explosion
The Denarian of the Nova Corps died during the Battle of Xandar, protecting his homeworld from Ronan the Accuser, when the Dark Aster crushed through the Nova Corps’ interlocking blockade.
Quicksilver
- Died In: Avengers: Age of Ultron
- Cause of Death: Gunshots
Speedster Pietro Maximoff began as an adversary of the Avengers before redeeming himself during Ultron’s attack on Sokovia. Alas, Quicksilver turned out to not be faster than a speeding bullet, taking fire when he raced in to save Hawkeye.
Ultron
- Died In: Avengers: Age of Ultron
- Cause of Death: The Mind Stone
After a thoughtful exchange about life, death, and humanity, Ultron lunges at Vision who vaporizes him with a blast from the Mind Stone in his forehead.
Baron Strucker
- Died In: Avengers: Age of Ultron
- Cause of Death: Blunt force head trauma
This Hydra leader failed to impress Ultron, who smashed his head into a wall and then scrawled “peace” in his blood.
Ant-thony
- Died In: Ant-Man
- Cause of Death: Gunshot
Scott Lang's insect companion/ride got shot out from under him by Darren Cross. RIP, valiant steed.
Yellowjacket
- Died In: Ant-Man
- Cause of Death: Crushed
Ant-Man wreaked havoc on the inner workings of Yellowjacket’s suit, causing it to collapse in on itself and crush him down to the subatomic level.
Howard and Maria Stark
- Died In: Captain America: Civil War
- Cause of Death: Assassination
After causing the car accident that badly injured them, Bucky Barnes -- then operating as the brainwashed assassin known as the Winter Soldier -- proceeded to kill Tony Stark’s parents with his bare hands so it looked like the accident killed them.
T’Chaka
- Died In: Captain America: Civil War
- Cause of Death: Explosion
T’Chaka -- king of Wakanda, former Black Panther, and T’Challa’s father -- died when Helmut Zemo bombed the signing of the Sokovia Accords in Vienna.
Crossbones
- Died In: Captain America: Civil War
- Cause of Death: Suicide/explosion
Brock Rumlow tried to blow himself and Cap up but Scarlet Witch contained the explosion within an energy field. Unfortunately, although she saved Cap, Scarlet Witch unintentionally caused the death of several Wakandan citizens when she hurled the explosion too close to a nearby office building.
The Ancient One
- Died In: Doctor Strange
- Cause of Death: Stabbing/fall
She’d lived for centuries but finally died during a battle with Kaecillius when he stabbed her with a Space Shard and kicked her through a portal, where she plummeted through a glass canopy and crashed into the pavement. The Ancient One’s astral form had a final conversation with Stephen Strange about the acceptance of death before she finally succumbed to her injuries.
Daniel Drumm
- Died In: Doctor Strange
- Cause of Death: Execution
The protector of the New York Sanctum was overrun by Kaecilius and his zealots, who murdered him. Doctor Strange witnessed it.
Ego
- Died In: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
- Cause of Death: Explosion
Baby Groot planted a bomb on Ego the Living Planet’s brain while his human form battled his son Peter Quill. Ego’s human form then crumbled to dust in Peter’s hands, who lost his own Celestial powers in the process.
Yondu Udonta
- Died In: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
- Cause of Death: Self-Sacrifice
The former Ravager redeemed himself by saving his “son” Peter Quill as Ego’s planet was destroyed, giving Quill the last space suit so that he could survive. Yondu then perished from the suffocating cold of outer space.
Taserface
- Died In: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
- Cause of Death: Explosion
Yondu triggered the explosion that would ultimately destroy the spaceship Eclector. Taserface died the butt of a joke as the Sovereign who answered his call burst out laughing at his name.
Jackson Brice/Shocker
- Died In: Spider-Man: Homecoming
- Cause of Death: Laser blast
After threatening to expose their illegal activity to the authorities and Vulture’s wife, this incarnation of Shocker, thief Jackson Brice, was (accidentally) disintegrated by Vulture, who thought he was firing an anti-gravity gun at him. Ooops, turned out to be a Chitauri blaster.
Odin
- Died In: Thor: Ragnarok
- Cause of Death: Old age
The All-Father has been through a lot by the time he finally allowed himself to leave this plane of existence, dissipating into energy as his sons Thor and Loki sat beside him.
Hela
- Died In: Thor: Ragnarok
- Cause of Death: Surtur
In order to defeat Hela, Thor and Loki unleashed the giant fire demon Surtur upon Asgard to unleash the apocalypse Ragnarok, destroying the goddess of death and their home in the process.
Skurge
- Died In: Thor: Ragnarok
- Cause of Death: Self-Sacrifice/stabbing
Skurge redeems himself by going out guns blazing against the forces of Hela in order to save the escaping Asgardians, before finally being felled by one of Hela’s Necroswords.
Surtur
- Died In: Thor: Ragnarok
- Cause of Death: Explosion
This giant fire demon destroyed Asgard and himself when he unleashed the prophetic Ragnarok.
The Warriors Three
- Died In: Thor: Ragnarok
- Cause of Death: Stabbing
Hela’s Necroswords made quick work of both Volstagg and Fandral. Hogun fared the best of the trio but still perished along with the bulk of the Asgardian army when Hela returned.
Killmonger
- Died In: Black Panther
- Cause of Death: Stabbing
Erik Killmonger suffered a mortal injury during his final battle with T’Challa, who then carried him out to see the sun set over Wakandan. Killmonger asked to be buried at sea like his ancestors who jumped from slave ships because they preferred death to bondage.
Zuri
- Died In: Black Panther
- Cause of Death: Stabbing
Killmonger impaled Zuri with his own spear when the shaman offered his own life in place of the severely beaten T’Challa, admitting to his own culpability in the death of Killmonger’s father, N’Jobu.
N’Jobu
- Died In: Black Panther
- Cause of Death: Stabbing
Killmonger’s dad was slain by his own brother, T’Chaka, during a confrontation in Oakland. T’Chaka, in his guise as Black Panther, popped his claws into his brother’s abdomen.
Ulysses Klaue
- Died In: Black Panther
- Cause of Death: Gunshots
This weapons dealer/merc thought using Killmonger’s girlfriend Linda as a human shield would buy him an out. He thought wrong and ended up as Killmonger’s ticket into Wakanda.
Gamora (2018)
- Died In: Avengers: Infinity War
- Cause of Death: Fall
Thanos’ favorite daughter was the cost he was willing to pay to acquire the Soul Stone, tossing her off a cliff on Vormir in order to attain it. Her past self is now on the loose in the current MCU timeline although she has no connection to any of the Guardians of the Galaxy.
Loki
- Died In: Avengers: Infinity War
- Cause of Death: Broken neck
Thanos choked out his one time minion in order to attain the Tesseract, telling the God of Mischief there would be no more resurrections for him.
Vision
- Died In: Avengers: Infinity War
- Cause of Death: Mind Stone theft
The android Avenger had his life force sapped from him when Thanos tore the Mind Stone from his forehead. It remains possible though that most of his data had been copied by Shuri at the time of his destruction so perhaps he will return. (How exactly Vision will appear in the upcoming Disney+ series WandaVision remains to be seen.)
Heimdall
- Died In: Avengers: Infinity War
- Cause of Death: Stabbing
The protector of the Bifrost had no sooner led the Asgardians from safety following the events of Ragnarok than he was slain by Thanos when the Asgardian ship was attacked.
The Black Order
- Died In: Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame
- Cause of Death: Various (2018), Infinity Snap (2023)
The Children of Thanos -- Ebony Maw, Cull Obsidian, Proxima Midnight, and Corvus Glaive -- all perished battling the Avengers at different points during Infinity War. Their 2014 selves traveled forward through time to 2023 in Avengers: Endgame to help Thanos invade Earth, where they all once again killed, this time getting dusted by Iron Man’s Infinity snap.
Mar-Vell
- Died In: Captain Marvel
- Cause of Death: Laser blast
Already badly injured in the crash of Carol Danvers’ jet, the Kree scientist Mar-Vell, in her guise as Dr. Wendy Lawson, was finally shot dead by Yon-Rogg.
Minn-Erva
- Died In: Captain Marvel
- Cause of Death: Explosion
This Starforce member’s spacecraft was taken out in a sneak maneuver during a dogfight with Maria Rambeau.
Norex
- Died In: Captain Marvel
- Cause of Death: Laser blast
Talos' "science guy," this Skrull bought time for Carol Danvers and Co. to escape with his life but his masquerade as Vers was quickly figured by Yon-Rogg, who shot him.
Akihiko
- Died In: Avengers: Endgame
- Cause of Death: Stabbing
This Yakuza boss died at the business end of a sword wielded by former Hawkeye Clint Barton, operating under the post-Snap guise of the vengeful Ronin.
Nebula (2014)
- Died In: Avengers: Endgame
- Cause of Death: Laser blast
This past, bad version of Thanos’ less beloved daughter died at the hands of her future, good self, who shot her in order to save her sister Gamora.
Thanos
- Died In: Avengers: Endgame
- Cause of Death: 1) Beheading and 2) Infinity Gauntlet
Not one but two different versions of Thanos died in Endgame. First, the “retired” one who destroyed the Infinity Stones and lost his head to Thor’s Stormbreaker. And then, second, his 2014 self who traveled into the future where he and his army were dusted by Iron Man’s Infinity snap.
Black Widow
- Died In: Avengers: Endgame
- Cause of Death: Self-Sacrifice
The spy-turned-superhero fell to her death on Vormir in order to keep her friend Hawkeye alive and make sure he returned with the Soul Stone. By all accounts, Natasha’s Death is permanent.
Iron Man
- Died In: Avengers: Endgame
- Cause of Death: Infinity Gauntlet/Self-Sacrifice
Tony Stark gave up his life to snap Thanos and his invading forces out of existence, despite knowing what wielding such cosmic power would do to his mere mortal form.
Maria Rambeau
- Died In: Two Years Before WandaVision
- Cause of Death: Cancer
While Maria's death happened off-screen, we learned during the opening sequence of WandaVision's fourth episode that she had cancer and was in the hospital for surgery at the time of The Snap. Her daughter, Monica, perished in The Snap, and in the years between then and when Monica Blipped back, Maria's cancer returned and she passed away. We also learned that in the years since we last saw her in Captain Marvel that Maria's cosmic encounters led her to not only become one of the founding members of S.W.O.R.D. but that she was serving as its Director at the time of her death.
Evanora Harkness and the Salem Witches
- Died In: WandaVision
- Cause of Death: Magic
Agatha Harkness killed her own mother, Evanora, and her coven of witches back in 1693 when they put her on trial. Agatha drew their own magical power from them during their attack on her and killed them with energy blasts.
Sparky
- Died In: WandaVision
- Cause of Death: Murder
Briefly the pet of Billy and Tommy Maximoff, this poor pooch was found dead in the yard of their neighbor Agnes, aka Agatha Harkness, who claimed he died after eating her plants. But, as she later confessed in song, Agatha actually killed Sparky.
Wanda's Vision
- Died In: WandaVision
- Cause of Death: Shattered Illusion
A recreation of the slain Avenger based on Wanda's memories, this Vision was essentially a prisoner of The Hex surrounding Westview. As he became increasingly self-aware, he ultimately accepted that he would have to "die" in this fabricated reality in order to save the other residents and restore order
The Maximoff Twins
- Died In: WandaVision?
- Cause of Death: Shattered Illusion
While it appeared that Wanda Maximoff sacrificed her super-powered twin sons, Billy and Tommy, when she destroyed The Hex, the very end of WandaVision suggests the boys may still exist. Voices can be heard as Wanda's astral form studies the mystical tome known as The Darkhold.
Karli Morgenthau
- Died In: The Falcon and The Winter Soldier
- Cause of Death: Shot to death
The revolutionary leader Karli Morgenthau was gunned down by Sharon Carter, aka the Power Broker, in the final episode of the Disney Plus series.
Flag Smashers
- Died In: The Falcon and The Winter Soldier
- Cause of Death: Murder
As the Disney Plus series came to a close, Karli Morgenthau's super-soldier acolytes -- including Dovich, Gigi, DeeDee, Lennox, and Matias -- all meet a series of grisly ends. Several are blown up by Helmut Zemo's butler Oeznik, while Karli's trusted confidante Nico is brutally slain in full view of the public by then-Captain America John Walker.
Battlestar
- Died In: The Falcon and The Winter Soldier
- Cause of Death: Killed in Action
John Walker's best friend and war buddy Lemar Hoskins died while fighting Flag Smashers leader Karli Morgenthau, who, thanks to the super-soldier serum, kicked him with enough force to kill him.
Batroc
- Died In: The Falcon and The Winter Soldier
- Cause of Death: Shot to death
This mercenary was gunned down by Sharon Carter, aka the Power Broker, in the final episode of the Disney Plus series.
Dreykov
- Died In: Black Widow
- Cause of Death: Explosion
This former Soviet military officer -- the power behind the Red Room -- died along with some of his henchmen when Yelena Belova blew up his aircraft.
Classic Loki
- Died In: Loki
- Cause of Death: Alioth
Richard E. Grant's elder variant of the god of mischief sacrificed himself helping Loki and Sylvie enchant and outwit Alioth, the cloud monster guardian of the Void.
He Who Remains
- Died In: Loki
- Cause of Death: Stabbed
Jonathan Majors made his MCU debut in the final episode of Season 1 of Loki. He Who Remains created the Time Variance Authority and has lived in the Citadel at the End of Time ever since surviving a multiversal war with his variants (one of whom, Kang, will appear in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania). He was stabbed to death by a vengeful Sylvie, whose action triggers the fracturing of the Sacred Timeline.
Ying Li
- Died In: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
- Cause of Death: Murder
The mother of Shang-Chi's mother and wife of Wenwu, Ying Li was murdered by her husband's underworld enemies, the Iron Gang.
Death Dealer
- Died In: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
- Cause of Death: Life Force Absorption
Wenwu's enforcer and former mentor of Shang-Chi had his life force sucked from him by the winged minions of the Dweller-in-Darkness. His death prompted Shang-Chi's forces and Wenwu's to form a temporary alliance to take down this shared threat.
Wenwu
- Died In: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
- Cause of Death: Life Force Absorption
The founder and leader of the Ten Rings, Wenwu (played by Tony Leung) was killed by the Dweller-in-Darkness but not before transferring the titular power rings to his son Shang-Chi.
The Dweller-In-Darkness
- Died In: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
- Cause of Death: Killed in Battle
This winged, soul-eating demon was finally taken down by the combined efforts of Shang-Chi, Katy, Xialing, and the Great Protector dragon.
Ajak
- Died In: Eternals
- Cause of Death: Killed by Deviants
Having entrusted her lieutenant Ikaris with the truth of their existence and mission, Ajak was ultimately betrayed by him when she revealed she wanted to disobey Arishem's command and save Earth. Ikaris led to her an icy location where he tossed her down to have her life force sucked from her by Deviants.
Gilgamesh
- Died In: Eternals
- Cause of Death: Killed by Kro
Gilgamesh died protecting Thena and his fellow Deviants, his life force sucked out of him by Deviant leader Kro. His surviving teammates cremated his remains.
Kro and the Deviants
- Died In: Eternals
- Cause of Death: Killed by Eternals (Kro specifically by Thena)
Thena sliced up Deviant leader Kro following the Eternals' successfully eliminating the rest of their sworn enemies in battle.
Tiamut
- Died In: Eternals
- Cause of Death: Turned to stone
Sersi uses all her newfound powers to prevent the Celestial called Tiamut from completing the Emergence and destroying Earth by turning him to stone. His colossal remains, still protruding from the ocean, have left the world wondering what the hell happened.
Ikaris
- Died In: Eternals
- Cause of Death: Suicide
Ikaris literally flew close to the sun in the end of Marvel's Eternals, killing himself after betraying his teammates and setting up Ajak's death by the Deviants.
Derek Bishop
- Died In: Hawkeye
- Cause of Death: Explosion
Kate Bishop's dad Derek died during the Battle of New York when the Chitauri destroyed part of the family's home. His debts to "Kingpin" Wilson Fisk prompts his widow Eleanor to break bad (for the sake of her daughter, as she rationalized it).
Armand Duquesne
- Died In: Hawkeye
- Cause of Death: Stabbed with a sword
The murder of the wealthy and powerful elder Duquesne -- uncle of Eleanor Bishop's fiancé Jack Duquesne -- was the "whodunit" of Hawkeye, Season One. Kate Bishop found Armand slain in his brownstone not long after a charity gala he attended was robbed. Eleanor had ordered Armand's murder and framed Jack for it.
William Lopez
- Died In: Hawkeye
- Cause of Death: Stabbed with a sword
The death of Lopez, a member of the Tracksuit Mafia, propels his beloved daughter Maya Lopez to seek vengeance against the vigilante who slew him: Ronin, Clint Barton's post-Blip executioner of the underworld identity.
Kazi Kazimierczak
- Died In: Hawkeye
- Cause of Death: Stabbed
Tracksuit Mafia soldier Kazi remained loyal to Kingpin and rejected Maya Lopez's offer to break free from their criminal lives, attacking her with a blade in order to fulfill Kingpin's wish to have her killed. Instead, Maya killed Kazi with his own weapon.
Aunt May Parker
- Died In: Spider-Man: No Way Home
- Cause of Death: Internal Injuries
Marisa Tomei's Aunt May was mortally wounded by Green Goblin during an attack on Happy Hogan's condo building. While the extent of her injuries was not immediately apparent, she soon died in the arms of her nephew Peter. But before she passed away, May delivered the "with great power comes great responsibility" speech to Peter (which had been given by Uncle Ben in the comics and past films), the first time it's been said in the MCU.
DIED OFFSCREEN/PRESUMED DEAD:
Kingpin
- Last Seen In: Hawkeye
One of the biggest questions many had after the finale of Marvel's Hawkeye was whether Vincent D'Onofrio's Kingpin was actually dead. While Maya seemingly shot and killed him, we don't actually see him die as the camera pans away from the violence. While Marvel may just not want to show a point-blank shot on Disney+, this also may be a chance for Kingpin to return. After all, why bring back D'Onofrio after Daredevil's cancellation for such a short appearance?
In a comics story we won't spoil here, Kingpin did survive Maya's attack - but at a great cost. As in the comics, anything is possible in the MCU so we may very well see Kingpin in the future.
Col. Chester Phillips
- Last Seen In: Captain America: The First Avenger
He was already a senior citizen by the time of the events of The First Avenger so it stands to reason this gruff military man passed away in the ensuing years. His photo hung at the SHIELD base in Camp Lehigh during the events of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, having passed away in the years following World War II.
Howling Commandos
- Last Seen In: Captain America: The First Avenger, The Avengers (deleted scene), Agent Carter, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
While Dum Dum Dugan would go on to serve postwar in Agent Carter and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., all of Cap’s former World War II teammates must now be presumed dead. Indeed, a deleted scene from Marvel’s The Avengers showed Cap going through old files where pages listed members James Montgomery Falsworth and Jim Morita as deceased.
Edwin Jarvis
- Last Seen In: Avengers: Endgame
This Agent Carter regular — and young Tony Stark’s future butler, who helped raise him after the death of his parents — passed away in the ensuing years between his appearance in the 1970 time heist in Endgame and Iron Man 1, where “Jarvis” was the name given to Tony’s AI.
Which MCU character death impacted you the most? Let us know in the comments!
For more on the MCU, check out our Avengers: Endgame review, our trailer breakdown for Spider-Man: Far From Home, how Endgame may set-up this classic villain for Phase 4, and who could be the next Iron Man in the MCU.
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