Danny Borrelli (Season 4, Episode 22)
Danny Was Crushed Under Falling Debris
Danny Borrelli appears in Chicago Fire as Jimmy’s older brother, a candidate on Truck 81. During a call, Danny is crushed under the debris of the buildingas it collapses, which causes Jimmy to become a little reckless as he tries to get him out while debris falls around him. Chief Boden has to physically pull him away from the scene, and the event leads to Jimmy and the chief having a strained relationship.
There wasn’t enough time to connect with Danny, so it was one of the Chicago Fire deaths that wasn’t particularly hard to watch, but Jimmy’s struggle certainly was. While Danny only made limited appearances on the show, it was clear he was close to his little brother when he did show up. The fact Danny had watched over his brother after their mother died made his specific death harder for Jimmy to take over the long term.
Anna Turner (Season 5, Episode 20)
Anna Died After A Leukemia Diagnosis
Anna and Severide are another tragic TV couple separated by death. The nurse sadly passed away after she had been diagnosed with leukemia. Severide had initially met her in season 5 when he went to the hospital with a neck injury. He then learned he was a bone marrow match for Anna and donated it, which helped her somewhat, but the cancer returned. Severide spent her last days with her at the hospital.
Although the storyline would inevitably have an unhappy ending, it was still heartbreaking to see the death of the Chicago Fire character. Anna was likable, as her funny personality and kind attitude meant everyone warmed up to her. Unlike Severide’s previous love interests, she had no issues with other characters, which was a refreshing change. While Anna was only in a few episodes, it was tough to see her go, given that she and Severide made a great couple.
Benny Severide (Season 7, Episode 6)
Benny Dies Following A Stroke
In season 7, Severide deals with another loss in his lifeas he discovers that his father, Benny, died of a stroke. Benny was involved in some controversy back in season 2 when he was responsible for the murder of Vin Keeler, who had kidnapped his daughter. Voight had him leave town until things blew over, and he returned for one episode in the fourth season before dying in season 7.
This leads Kelly to have to deal with his unresolved feelings toward Benny after having shut down his feelings, which strains his relationship with everyone around him. However, through their shared loss, Severide and the Chief at least become closer, but Severide doesn’t fully deal with the impact of this loss until season 9 when he admits in “Funny What Things Remind Us” that he still thinks about his dad.
Brian “Otis” Zvonecek (Season 8, Episode 1)
Otis Died While Fighting A Mattress Factory Fire
One of the most impactful deaths in the series, Otis sacrificed himself to save other members of Firehouse 51 during a mattress factory fire. A boiler exploded while the unit fought the fire at Arnow Mattress, creating a backdraft. Otis slammed a steel door shut to protect the other firefighters and remained alone to fight the fire. The team rushed him to the hospital, where he died from extensive injuries.
As one of the most emotional Chicago Fire deaths, the whole dynamic of the firehouse changes after this. The sudden departure of a beloved character was shocking and unexpected, as it was so quick, and Otis had everything going for him up until that point. This death was another one that the writers put in to increase the drama, with series creator Derek Haas saying, “We gotta put some teeth back into the show, and we gotta show that the dangers are real” (via TV Line).
Julie (Season 8, Episode 18)
Julie Dies After Giving Birth
In season 8, paramedic Sylvie Brett reconnects with her birth mother, Julie. Brett never knew her mother growing up, as she was given up for adoption when she was 16. However, Julie wants to make up for it. She tells Brett she’s pregnant and wants her to be involved in her sibling’s life. Unfortunately, it isn’t long until things take a turn for the worse when Julie dies after giving birth, leaving Sylvie to help care for her newborn sister, Amelia, with the baby’s dad, Scott.
Sylvie’s connection with her sister allows the paramedic to hold on to the pieces of Julie she never had before. Julie’s death also leaves Sylvie questioning what matters to her and makes her take a chance on her love for Matt Casey, which was the story arc’s silver lining.
Father Anthony (Season 10, Episode 6)
An Arsonist Murdered Father Anthony
Although not a major character, Father Anthony’s death in season 10 was horrific, as Severide had seen the man get beaten and set on fire by an arsonist. This death happened after someone set the church on fire and then came back later to exact more vengeance against Anthony. Since Father Anthony couldn’t identify the individual due to the extensive injuries putting him in an induced coma, this leads to Severide reprising his position as an arson investigator and setting out to find the serial arsonist.
Father Anthony’s murder was easily one of the most violent Chicago Fire deaths, and it was hard to watch, not because of the emotional connection but simply because of how sinister it was. This death also significantly impacted the course of season 10, as it pushed Severide harder in his role as an arson investigator away from the team and eventually led to him deciding to stop messing around and marry Stella Kidd.
