(SPOILERS)
ALEXANDRIA — The Walking Dead‘s Glenn Rhee died unexpectedly this week after falling from a trash dumpster and being devoured by zombies. Rhee was in his mid-to-late 20s.
Rhee died as he lived: Sacrificing himself for the good of others. Rhee, a Michigan native born of Korean immigrants, relocated to Atlanta as an adult, where he worked as a pizza delivery person until the zombie apocalypse arrived. Thereafter, he became a supply runner for a group of survivors outside of Atlanta, relocating with them recently to Alexandria, a small community in the outskirts of Washington, D.C.
On the day of his death, Rhee was fleeing from a horde of zombies, attempting to prevent them from reaching his community. Trapped in a store with a longtime friend, Michonne, and a number of acquaintances (three of whom were already critically injured), Glenn selflessly volunteered himself to set a feed store ablaze in order to attract the attention of the walkers and prevent them from entering Alexandria.
Fellow survivor Nicholas joined him in the expedition. Rhee and Nicholas, however, have had a difficult history together. In the days previous, Nicholas’ desertion cost one man, Noah, his life. Nicholas also attempted to kill Glenn, but in failing to do so, realized the error of his ways.
Glenn, known by friends as a man of good conscience and hope, reluctantly granted Nicholas a chance at redemption, allowing him to come along with him to set the feed store ablaze. Unfortunately, the feed store had already been burned to its husk. Glenn and Nicholas attempted to flee from the zombies, but sadly Nicholas — trapped on top of a dumpster and faced with certain death — panicked and shot himself in the head, falling to the ground. Rhee, sadly, fell with him, whereupon both men were devoured by numerous members of the undead.
The final words Glenn heard spoke were those of Nicholas. “Thank you,” he said, intimating that he was appreciative of the opportunity at redemption, even though he was unable to take advantage of it.
Glenn is survived by his wife, Maggie Greene, a current resident of Alexandria, and potentially their unborn child. Maggie would say of Glenn that he was the most loving, youthfully enthusiastic, and compassionate man she has ever known. He was a pillar of the community, who saw the best in everyone even when they could not see it in themselves.
Rhee also died in the possession of a pocket watch given to him by his father-in-law, Hershel Greene, on the day that he gave his blessing to Glenn to marry his daughter.
Due to the manner in which he died, a burial will not be possible. Services honoring his life are expected to be held soon after Alexandria is cleared of any immediate threats.
Rest in peace, Glenn Rhee. He will sorely be missed.
