Colby's Death On 'Yellowstone' Explained: 'Realities Of Cowboy Life'

Warning: This post contains spoilers for “Yellowstone.”

“Yellowstone” has never exactly been a safe space for characters. Violent, profane and deadly, the Paramount hit (which recently began the second half of its likely-final fifth season), has always had a high body count.

But three deaths of long-term characters in the first four episodes alone! Clearly the show has gone on a killing spree, with the latest coming during Sunday’s “Counting Coup” episode. 

Rest in peace, Colby. Here’s how — and maybe why — you ultimately had to go. 

How did Colby die?

A cast member since the show’s first season, Colby Mayfield (Denim Richards) has been a regular ranch hand for the Duttons. We’ve watched him play poker with the guys, develop a romance with one of the few female hands (Teeter, played by Jennifer Landon), get trampled by a horse while skinny-dipping, and overall be a solid, reliable character. He was also the show's sole Black ranch hand.

Colby's dramatic exit comes soon after he and Teeter finally admitted their love for one another. But it’s fitting: Colby goes out while coming to the aid of someone else.

Carter (Finn Little), the young ranch hand who’s being looked after by Beth (Kelly Reilly) and Rip (Cole Hauser), goes against orders and approaches a black stallion in a stall whose water has spilled.

While helping that horse, Carter comes across a second, wild horse that corners him. Colby creates a distraction and Carter escapes — but the horse stomps on Colby, killing him. Carter does shoot the wild horse — but it’s too late for Colby.

After the episode aired, Richards posted on his Instagram with a shot of his on-set director’s chair, complete with folded clothes, boots and hat and the caption, “Grateful.” The show then tagged him on a video from the aftermath of his death with the words, “Absolutely heartbroken.”  

Some fans were left unhappy with the decision. In the comments of "Yellowstone" account's post, one Instagram user wrote, “Zero reason to kill Colby. Zero… What’s happened to Yellowstone?”

“What was the point?!” wrote another in the same post. “Beyond disappointed and angry. Colby & Teeter’s love story was not only fun but warm & loving.”

Jessican Landon as Teeter and Denim Richards as Colby.Yellowstone via YouTube

Fan @iLEADFARMER wrote on X, “That was not cool. I hate that they killed Colby. If ANYONE deserved a happy ending when this series ends, it was these two. Felt so bad for Teeter upon hearing the news.”

Others celebrated Colby's legacy. In the comments of Richards' post, one user wrote a long ode to the character.

"He was the definition of a 'Yellowstone' loyal, a true cowboy at heart whose spirit resonated with every viewer who tuned in. His laughter, camaraderie, and bravery brought warmth to the cold, unforgiving world of the ranch, and his departure has left an undeniable void," the comment read, and said later, "Colby’s journey may have come to an end, but the legacy he leaves behind will echo through the valleys of Yellowstone for seasons to come. As we say goodbye to Colby, we carry with us the lessons of loyalty, love, and resilience."

Why did the show kill Colby off? 'It's a dangerous job'

As executive producer Christina Voros (who also directed the first four episodes of this second half of the season) told The Hollywood Reporter, Colby’s death was very much a risk inherent in his profession.

“For anyone who really understands the lifestyle of cowboys and working with animals and the risks of the job — and Rip says it about himself — it’s a dangerous job, and this kind of thing happens and it happens in a split-second,” she said. “This death comes as a shock because it’s so simple, and it’s so grounded in the world in which all these characters work that it’s profoundly tragic … and the timing of it is just gut-wrenching.”

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly published the day after the episode aired, Richards shared his own take on his character's death, saying the season is "really emphasizing the realities of cowboy life."

"We have this saying that everyone’s going to fall off a horse at some point in their life. It’s not if, it’s just when and how bad. That is not a phenomenon. These things do happen, so I do think that there’s that element where I think it is about really wanting to emphasize that this is a reality," he said.

He called Colby's death "poetic" because in Season 3, Colby is trampled by a multiple horses. "Maybe this was those horses’ ancestors coming back to get retribution," he said.

Denim Richards as Colby.ParamountWho else has died on this season of ‘Yellowstone’?

Colby’s death comes on the heels of the exits of patriarch John Dutton (Kevin Costner) and fixer-turned-Jamie’s-girlfriend Sarah Atwood (Dawn Olivieri).

Dutton’s farewell wasn’t so much of a surprise, as Costner had already stated he wouldn’t be returning to the show via Instagram reel in June. (He said in a Nov. 11 interview with Michael Smerconish for SiriusXM that he didn’t quit the show.)

Atwood’s death was preordained before Costner’s exit, according to The Hollywood Reporter, but “we had to wrap this all up at lightning speed” once Costner exited, Olivieri told the publication.

All of these losses, from co-workers to family alike, are bound to have huge repercussions for the season’s (and likely series’) final episodes. Are we done with the bloodbath yet? Knowing “Yellowstone,” don’t count anyone safe until the very end.

Randee Dawn

Randee Dawn (she/her) is an entertainment journalist and author based in Brooklyn. In addition to writing for TODAY.com, Variety and The Los Angeles Times, her debut novel, Tune in Tomorrow, about a reality TV show run by mythic creatures, published in 2022. She's also the co-author of The Law & Order: SVU Unofficial Companion. When not interviewing the stars or dabbling in speculative fiction, she dreams of the next place she can travel to, or cuddles her Westie. More at RandeeDawn.com.