In the expansive world of the Harry Potter series, the character of Lord Voldemort, born Tom Marvolo Riddle, stands as the embodiment of evil and fear. As the main antagonist, he casts a chilling shadow over the wizarding world. His quest for immortality, pure-blood supremacy, and absolute power has led him to commit countless atrocities, earning him the reputation of one of the most fearsome and deadliest dark wizards in history.
Voldemort personally killed around 45 characters, including James and Lily Potter, Frank Bryce, Bertha Jorkins, and Charity Burbage, among others. His indirect actions could account for hundreds or even thousands of deaths.
Direct Deaths Caused by Voldemort
Voldemort, born as Tom Riddle, is known for his direct murderous acts throughout the Harry Potter series. As one of the most feared Dark wizards of all time, his direct victims include significant characters such as James and Lily Potter, Frank Bryce, Bertha Jorkins, and Charity Burbage.
His method of murder is predominantly the use of the Unforgivable Avada Kedavra curse, demonstrating his cold-blooded nature and utter disregard for life. These direct kills form a chilling pattern of ruthless and brutal choices, underlining the truly evil persona of Voldemort.
| Victim’s Name | Method of Killing | Book or Movie |
|---|---|---|
| James Potter | Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra) | Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone |
| Lily Potter | Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra) | Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone |
| Bertha Jorkins | Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra) | Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire |
| Frank Bryce | Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra) | Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire |
| Charity Burbage | Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra) | Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows |
| Hepzibah Smith | Poisoned, disguised as a disease | Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince |
| Moaning Myrtle (Myrtle Warren) | Basilisk’s gaze, indirectly | Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets |
| Tom Riddle Sr. | Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra) | Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire |
| Thomas Riddle | Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra) | Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire |
| Mary Riddle | Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra) | Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire |
| Peter Pettigrew (indirectly) | Magical forced suicide | Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows |
| Amelia Bones | Unknown, presumably Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra) | Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince |
| Alastor Moody | Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra) | Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows |
| Dorcas Meadowes | Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra) | Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (mentioned only) |
| Igor Karkaroff | Unknown, presumably Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra) | Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince |
| Cedric Diggory | Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra) | Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire |
| Amelia Bones’ Mother | Unknown, presumably Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra) | Mentioned only, before Philosopher’s Stone |
| Amelia Bones’ Father | Unknown, presumably Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra) | Mentioned only, before Philosopher’s Stone |
| Rufus Scrimgeour | Tortured to death | Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows |
| Severus Snape | Attacked by Nagini on Voldemort’s orders | Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows |
| Mykew Gregorovitch | Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra) | Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows |
| Gellert Grindelwald | Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra) | Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows |
| Regulus Arcturus Black | Drowned by Inferi on Voldemort’s indirect orders | Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows |
| Order of the Phoenix Member | Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra) | Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film only) |
| … and many more unidentified victims |
Please note that the method of killing is not always mentioned explicitly, especially in the movies, and this table contains both the deaths shown on-screen or mentioned in the books.
Indirect Deaths Caused by Voldemort
The number of indirect deaths caused by Voldemort far surpasses those he personally killed. These victims were often at the hands of his followers, the Death Eaters, or a result of the chaos and violence that Voldemort’s return and reign of terror brought about.
Notable characters such as Cedric Diggory, Sirius Black, Albus Dumbledore, and Fred Weasley lost their lives due to actions ordered or instigated by Voldemort. This widespread violence, fear, and loss illustrate the deep and lasting impact of Voldemort’s malevolence on the wizarding world.
| Victim’s Name | Method of Killing | Perpetrator |
|---|---|---|
| Cedric Diggory | Avada Kedavra | Peter Pettigrew (Wormtail) |
| Sirius Black | Knocked into the veil by a spell | Bellatrix Lestrange |
| Albus Dumbledore | Avada Kedavra | Severus Snape (on Dumbledore’s own request) |
| Hedwig | Avada Kedavra | Death Eater (unknown) |
| Mad-Eye Moody | Avada Kedavra | Death Eater (unknown) |
| Rufus Scrimgeour | Torture leading to death | Voldemort and Death Eaters |
| Bathilda Bagshot | Unknown, body used for concealment of Nagini | Nagini |
| Dobby | Knife wound | Bellatrix Lestrange |
| Fred Weasley | Explosion during Battle of Hogwarts | Death Eater (unknown) |
| Remus Lupin | Killed in the Battle of Hogwarts | Antonin Dolohov |
| Nymphadora Tonks | Killed in the Battle of Hogwarts | Bellatrix Lestrange |
| Colin Creevey | Killed in the Battle of Hogwarts | Death Eater (unknown) |
| Lavender Brown | Attacked by werewolf Fenrir Greyback, fate unclear in books, killed in movies | Fenrir Greyback |
This is not a complete list, but covers some of the more significant characters whose deaths were caused indirectly by Voldemort. There would have been many other unnamed characters who died as well, particularly during the First and Second Wizarding Wars.
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Voldemort’s Kills Throughout The Years
The Early Years
Born as Tom Marvolo Riddle, Voldemort’s life was marked by darkness and death from an early age. Raised in an orphanage, Tom was a deeply troubled child who displayed sadistic tendencies and a fascination with the Dark Arts. His first known act of murder occurred during his time at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry when he was responsible for the death of fellow student Myrtle Warren, who would later become known as Moaning Myrtle.
Riddle manipulated the situation to cause Myrtle’s death by opening the Chamber of Secrets, thereby releasing the Basilisk. He later used her death to create his first Horcrux, a diary. Furthermore, Riddle also murdered his own paternal family, the Riddles, during a summer break from Hogwarts.
Riddle killed his father, Tom Riddle Sr., and his grandparents, using the killing curse. This was a significant act, marking his rejection of his muggle heritage and his commitment to a path of dark magic. This event also led to the creation of his second Horcrux, Marvolo Gaunt’s Ring. These early killings laid the foundation for the reign of terror that Voldemort would later instigate in the wizarding world.
Rise to Power
As Tom Riddle evolved into Lord Voldemort, his thirst for power and immortality deepened, leading to an increase in his kill count. His ascension to becoming the most feared Dark Wizard of all time was marked by a series of ruthless murders.
One of his notable kills during this period was Hepzibah Smith, a wealthy, elderly witch who was in possession of two items that Voldemort desired: Helga Hufflepuff’s Cup and Salazar Slytherin’s Locket, both of which later became his Horcruxes. Using his charming persona, Voldemort managed to secure a position at Borgin and Burkes, a store that dealt with Dark artifacts, which gave him access to Hepzibah. Under the guise of a visit, Voldemort murdered Hepzibah and made it look like the work of her house-elf.
Another significant event was the murder of the Prewett family, who were members of the original Order of the Phoenix. Fabian and Gideon Prewett, brothers of Molly Prewett, were killed by Voldemort and his Death Eaters during the First Wizarding War. Their deaths represented the ruthless methods employed by Voldemort and his followers and demonstrated the deadly consequences of standing up against him.
Voldemort’s rise to power was filled with countless such killings as he sought to eliminate those who stood in his path, instill fear in the wizarding community, and strengthen his forces. His reign of terror led to a period of darkness and despair, leaving a lasting impact on the wizarding world.
The First Wizarding War
The First Wizarding War, a time of widespread fear and violence, was largely defined by Voldemort’s quest for dominance. Although the precise number of casualties is hard to establish, it is evident that Voldemort and his Death Eaters were responsible for a large number of deaths during this period.
Voldemort’s strategy was multifaceted: He sought to kill those who opposed him, spread terror among the wizarding community, and coerce others into joining his cause through fear. His relentless pursuit of power led to numerous duels, ambushes, and attacks that resulted in the loss of many lives.
Notably, during this war, Voldemort targeted families such as the Potters and the Longbottoms, who stood against his reign of terror. His personal involvement in the murders of James and Lily Potter not only marked a pivotal moment in the war but also set the course for his eventual downfall.
Moreover, the war also saw the death of many members of the Order of the Phoenix and other fighters who bravely resisted Voldemort’s forces, which increased the death toll significantly.
The Second Wizarding War
The Second Wizarding War marked a more violent and dark period in the Wizarding World, with Voldemort and his Death Eaters displaying even more ruthlessness in their pursuit of power. This period saw an unprecedented rise in deaths, many of which were orchestrated by Voldemort himself.
The Triwizard Tournament marked the official return of Voldemort, and with it, the unfortunate death of Cedric Diggory. Cedric, who was merely a pawn in Voldemort’s plan to resurrect himself, was killed on Voldemort’s orders, marking the first casualty of the second war.
In the subsequent years, Voldemort’s killing spree continued unabated. He personally murdered Charity Burbage, a professor at Hogwarts, due to her stance on promoting Muggle-born equality. Further, he also killed his most loyal servant, Severus Snape, mistakenly believing it would grant him full control over the Elder Wand. His direct murders during this war, though fewer than the indirect ones, still added significantly to his death count.
Voldemort’s indirect murders during the Second Wizarding War also greatly contributed to the overall fatality rate. Under his commands, Death Eaters and other dark creatures wreaked havoc. Significant indirect deaths included those of Alastor ‘Mad-Eye’ Moody, Dobby, Fred Weasley, Remus Lupin, and Nymphadora Tonks, among others.
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