We rank the 50 most memorable Star Wars deaths ever
By Ryan Wrenn
49. Lars Family
When Did They Die: Episode IV: A New Hope
Who Were They: Aunt and Uncle – and primary caretakers – of Luke Skywalker
How Did They Die: Charred to a crisp by the Empire as they searched for R2-D2 and C-3P0
Owen and Beru Lars didn’t have the easiest life.
They were moisture farmers on a desert planet, for one. That’s never going to be pleasant. Two, their step-mother was kidnapped and killed by Tusken Raiders. Last and by no means least, they were obliged to care for their nephew who was, oh yeah, the secret son of one of the most dangerous men in the entire galaxy.
Nevertheless, they managed all these hardships with apparent ease. With the help of Obi-Wan Kenobi, they kept Luke safe and secure for 18 whole years, even as the Galactic Republic rapidly descended into the oppressive Galactic Empire.
All of which makes it especially ironic that the Lars family met its end not due to thirst or Sandpeople or Luke, but from buying the wrong droids. The stormtroopers that raided the Lars farm were there looking for R2-D2 and C-3PO, both of whom were being tracked down by Luke in the Jutland Wastes at the time.
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Again, like the Jedi younglings, we’re spared from having to see exactly how the Lars met their end. Luke’s final decision to follow Obi-wan Kenobi is made once he finds their charred remains, however, making this death, again, one of the most important but more tragic in all the six movies.
Next: 48. Porkins