The Walking Dead: 10 Characters Who Died At The Wrong Time

The older brother of Daryl, Merle was a mean piece of work who was also one of The Walking Dead's most entertaining and complex characters during its first three seasons. 

Made a main player in the third season and reunited with his estranged sibling, Merle was a character caught in something of a crossroads, at once a bitter, broken man set in his ways, and a good-hearted soul who had kept his virtues buried for far too long. 

Just as it seemed he was on the path to a redemption he'd survive, though, proving his loyalty to Rick after all their clashes and making peace with Daryl, the writers decided to give Merle a suicide mission in which he tried to kill The Governor. 

Killed brutally and left as a walker for his brother to find, Merle was only just starting to become something extra special. In another world, he'd have fought with the main group for another season or two, but Michael Rooker, god bless him, wasn't meant to stick around.