For a sleepy town on the seaside, Home and Away’s Summer Bay sure holds a lot of trauma. In its 37-year history, Summer Bay and its population have battled many whirlwind events: from bushfires, to floods, to landslides, to gas explosions, to extreme ocean weather events, to shootings, to stalkers, and too many road accidents to name.
And, really, Alf Stewart has been the only one to see it all.
In amongst all these natural and man-made disasters, Home and Away has ensured one thing for its loyal fanbase: that on a fairly frequent basis we are re-traumatised by another unnecessary death.
While a lucky few ride off into the sunset to “move to the city” or start a new life elsewhere, other beloved characters become victims to car crashes, sudden brain aneurysms, shootings, and more.
So without further ado, we rounded up 10 of the most devastating Home and Away deaths.
Yes, I got paid to do this.
1. Casey Braxton
Casey Braxton deserved more! The youngest of the Braxton brothers, Casey died in a violent confrontation with the family’s long-time enemy Jake Pirovic (more on him in a bit). Jake took Casey hostage, and despite Brax’s attempt to save him, Casey died from a gunshot wound. Viewers were devastated to see him go, as Casey was often seen as the loyal and caring brother trying to steer clear from his family’s world of crime.
2. Felicity Newman
It’s been just over a year since Flick’s untimely death and no, time doesn’t heal wounds. The fan fave character died after suffering a sudden brain aneurysm, ruining all our hopes and dreams that one day she and Tane Parata would find their way back to each other.
3. Jack Holden
Jack Holden’s shocking death was one of the most upsetting Home and Away moments from the late ’00s. The Summer Bay cop was accidentally and fatally shot by fellow police officer Angelo Rosetta. It was Jack’s father, Tony, who found his lifeless body in a tragic scene (only a couple of years after Tony lost his second wife Beth in a car crash, give the poor man a break!). Speaking of giving people a break, Jack also left behind his widow, Martha, who was fighting breast cancer at the time. God, it still hurts to remember all of this.
4. Belle Taylor
Belle’s death was devastating in its own right, but what made it even more heartbreaking was that it happened mere months after Jack’s death, so god forbid we can have a happy ending around here.
Belle’s heartbreaking exit came due to her terminal cancer diagnosis, and her final scene saw her take her last breath while in the arms of her one true love Aden Jeffries, who she married just before her death.
5. Shane Parrish
Heading back to the ’90s, fans were left devastated when young couple Shane and Angel were torn apart by Shane’s untimely death. Shane cut his hand on a rusty nail in what seemed like a minor accident, but developed septicaemia (blood poisoning) and collapsed, dying in Angel’s arms, and leaving her to raise their young son alone.
6. Ari Parata
Ari was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer and given limited time by doctors… of course, just after finding happiness again with his former partner Mia Anderson. Ari managed to marry Mia before passing away in the hospital immediately after their wedding, surrounded by his family.
7. Charlie Buckton
Another victim of notorious criminal Jake Pirovic, Charlie was a casualty of a revenge shooting as she was romantically linked with Brax. Tragically, just before she died, Brax promised to leave the River Boys and move to the city with Charlie, her daughter Ruby, and Casey (prior to Casey’s death). On her last day as a police officer, Charlie was shot by Jake, with Ruby and Brax having to make the tough decision to turn off her life support.
For fans of the show, both Charlie and Casey’s deaths shaped a tragic story arc for Brax, with him losing the woman he loved and then the brother who grounded him, both to the same villain.
8. Noah Lawson
You’d be mistaken for thinking guns weren’t banned in Summer Bay due to the amount of shootings in this damn town. One of the early ’00s deaths that left us all shocked though, was that of Noah Lawson, who was married to Hayley Smith (Bec Hewitt, of course). After a chaotic Summer Bay stalker storyline, Noah was gunned down by stalker Sarah, who blamed the town for the death of her boyfriend.
Sarah held several Summer Bay characters hostage at the surf club, pointing her gun at Hayley at some stage. When Noah stepped in to protect his wife, Sarah shot him dead.
9. Billie Ashford
Another victim to an aggressive cancer, Billie died long not long after giving birth to her daughter Luc after doctors discovered a rare type of cervical cancer. In an emotional moment she died in VJ’s arms while watching the sunrise on the beach.
10. Robbo
Robbo found himself in a spot of bother when he was working with a federal police officer to bring down a dangerous criminal syndicate. The gang of criminals targeted him and his wife Jasmine, and as a result Robbo was badly injured in a car crash when their vehicle was run off the road, eventually succumbing to his injuries.
Anyway, if you need me I’ll be off crying somewhere.
Home and Away airs 7pm Monday to Thursday on Seven and 7plus.
Want to CHATTR with us? Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok for more entertainment news.
