McLeod's Daughters' most devastating deaths (2024)

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Harry Ryan Alex Ryan Claire McLeod

McLeod's Daughters delivered many memorable moments over the years but none got our tears flowing like these tragic deaths.

Relive the heartache as we look back on the pivotal scenes that forever changed our favourite characters.

Stream every episode ever of McLeod's Daughters for free on 9Now.

Harry Ryan

McLeod's Daughters' most devastating deaths (1)

It was a rollercoaster of emotions for everyone at Drover's Run the day Harry Ryan died. Alex and Nick's father was seemingly killed in a car accident when Jodie's vehicle slammed into Harry's ute. Jodie had been distracted by a phone call and was rushing to get home for a business meeting.

When Jodie realised what she'd done she was distraught, and fans watching at home we're in a bundle of knots and nerves, feeling both sad for Harry and concerned about Jodie's life being forever impacted by the accident.

McLeod's Daughters' most devastating deaths (2)

The death hit Alex the hardest. He and Harry were not on good terms at the time of Harry's death, leaving Alex with plenty of regret over how he handled his last moments with his father.

But the biggest shock was saved for the end of the episode when police revealed Harry was already dead from a heart attack when Jodie struck his car. It turned out that Sandra, Harry's partner, had tampered with his medication, which triggered the heart failure.

RELATED: The 10 most iconic McLeod's Daughters episodes of all time

Alex Ryan

This is where the tears really start flowing. Alex and a heavily pregnant Stevie had only just reunited after Alex returned from his trip to Argentina when tragedy hit. The couple were driving home but had to stop to remove fallen branches blocking the road.

After clearing the way the pair had a cheeky kiss under the tree until it was interrupted by the sound of another branch starting to fall. Alex pushed Stevie out of the way of the falling branch but was struck by the log, which fell right on his chest and trapped him.

McLeod's Daughters' most devastating deaths (3)

There was nothing that could be done to save Alex, who passed away staring into the eyes of the woman he loved. Stevie was heartbroken, but there was light not long after the darkness when she went into labour shortly after Alex's death.

Late in the night Stevie had driven to the site of a romantic picnic she'd set up for Alex prior to the accident. While there she began having contractions and thankfully, as morning broke, Grace and Moira found her and supported her through the labour.

Stevie gave birth to a boy who, for a while after was only known by the nickname wombat. And as if our heartstrings couldn't be pulled any further, Alex made a ghostly appearance at the end of the episode and tenderly stroked Stevie's cheek.

Claire McLeod

McLeod's Daughters' most devastating deaths (4)

When it comes to the most devastating death in McLeod's Daughters history, nothing compares to the moment Claire died. It happened just as everything was falling into place for Claire; she had moved in with Alex — the love of her life — who was about to propose, was loving being a mum to baby Charlotte, and was the closest she'd ever been to sister Tess.

The tragedy unfolded when Claire, Tess and Charlotte were on their way back from picking up supplies for a party. They'd narrowly missed a car accident with a brumby when a series of potholes veered the ute off the road. The car was hurtling toward a cliff but Claire's foot was stuck under the brake. She freed her foot to stop the vehicle in the nick of time.

Unfortunately the car was left precariously balancing on the edge, leaving the women with few options to get to safety. When Claire realised she was trapped under the steering wheel with a badly injured leg, she made the ultimate sacrifice.

Claire told Tess to grab Charlotte from the backseat and jump out of the car. Once Charlotte was safely out, Tess returned to try to save Claire but the door was jammed and there was nowhere for Tess to hook a rope from.

With the car slowly creeping further over the edge and no hope of survival, Claire asked Tess to look after Charlotte before plunging to her death. Then fans watched in shock and heartbreak as the ute hurtled over the cliff edge in slow motion.

No matter how many times we watch it, it always feels like the first gut-wrenching time. And yes, we're crying all over again.

Stream every episode ever of McLeod's Daughters for free on 9Now.

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