Awww, tsk, tsk, tsk. Such a handsome boy.
See an attractive character that you like? Well, don't get too attached to them, because chances are, they're not going to make it to the end of the story.—Lord Voldemort, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
This trope is when an attractive character dies, just to tug at your heartstrings. Usually a handsome guy, but sometimes it's a beautiful girl.
Almost, but not always, the death happens near the end.
Compare Black Dude Dies First, Death By Newberry Medal, and Vasquez Always Dies.
In-Universe Examples Only — if a character's attractiveness is nothing more than an Audience Reaction, then it's not this trope. Do not add Big Bad or Jerkass examples since such characters are usually meant to be unsympathetic.
As a Death Trope, spoilers are unmarked.
Examples
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Literature
- The Dead: Subverted. Ed Carter, is a handsome, popular boy from Rowhurst and Jack's best friend. Greg Thorne attacks him with a meat cleaver, but he lives and just gets a scar on his face.
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Cedric, the handsome, kind, and courageous Hufflepuff Quidditch Captain and Seeker, ends up being killed by Voldemort in the climax.
- A Song of Ice and Fire: Renly, the handsome and charismatic king of Highgarded, dies in A Clash of Kings.
