If there’s one thing Stranger Things never fails to deliver, it’s pure emotional chaos. Hawkins has always been a dangerous place, but Season 5 takes the stakes to an entirely new level, ripping open portals, reviving old threats, and claiming lives we never expected to lose so soon. Whether it’s a shocking death, a heroic sacrifice, or a brutal Upside Down attack, Vol. 1 has already shaken fans to the core.
Here’s a complete, easy-to-follow breakdown of every major death in Stranger Things Season 5 Vol. 1, how they died, why it happened, and what it means for the story in the future.
All Confirmed and Possible Deaths in Stranger Things Season 5 Vol. 1
1. The Scientist in Dr Kay's Lab
The quiet, unsuspecting scientist working under Dr Kay becomes one of the season’s earliest casualties. While taking notes, he gets caught in a firefight as Hopper and Eleven break into the lab. Hopper tries to protect him by placing him inside a nearby storage cabinet, but things take a dark turn. Soldiers mistake the cabinet for Hopper’s hiding spot and open fire, killing the scientist instantly.
A tragic reminder that no one, not even the innocent bystanders, is safe in this war.
2. Multiple Military Operatives Under Dr Kay
The military's presence in Season 5 is intense, questionable, and chaotic. Trying to stop Vecna and contain the kids, several soldiers storm into active portals and crash straight into the Upside Down takeover. As gates rip open across locations, hordes of Demogorgons flood through and brutally tear through the military units. Despite their weapons and training, they stand no chance against the creatures emerging from every direction.
Their deaths highlight the overwhelming scale of Vecna’s return.
3. Lt. Robert Akers (Presumed Dead)
While the series doesn’t show his body, everything points to Akers not making it past the mid-season point. After surviving his first confrontation with Hopper and Eleven, Akers returns to alert Dr Kay. When the soldiers open fire, Hopper fires back with deadly precision.
Akers is seen going down in the gunfire, and his absence afterwards speaks volumes. He never reappears, not even during key scenes when others resurface. For now, fans assume he died in the chaos.
4. Lt. Colonel Jack Sullivan (Presumed Dead)
Sullivan’s attempt to stop Vecna leads to his most dangerous moment yet. As he leads troops to hold off Upside Down invaders, Vecna reverses a massive wall of fire that was intended to protect the humans.
The explosion engulfs Sullivan, setting him ablaze as he screams in agony. Although the show doesn’t explicitly confirm his death, the sudden silence and the camera shift to Vecna and Will suggest one thing: Sullivan didn’t survive the blast.
5. Several Demogorgons (Killed by Will’s Powers)
Demogorgons may have terrorised Hawkins for years, but this time the monsters are the ones who get obliterated. As Will Byers’ dormant abilities resurface, he channels his power with shocking force, instantly killing multiple Demogorgons around him without even touching them.
Their deaths mirror Vecna’s brutal killing style from Season 4, hinting at just how strong Will has become. It’s a chilling glimpse of what’s coming in Vol. 2.
Season 5 Vol. 1 sets the tone for a darker, heavier finale. With casualties mounting and the Upside Down expanding its reach, one thing is clear: no character is truly safe. Every death increases the pressure on Eleven, Will, Hopper, and the rest of the Hawkins crew.
And if this is only Vol. 1, fans should brace for even more emotional damage in Vol. 2.
Also Read: Stranger Things 5 Vol.1: Major Spoilers You Must See
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Akanksha Sinha
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