The “Five Nights at Freddy’s” (FNaF) franchise, created by Scott Cawthon, is renowned for its intricate lore and chilling horror elements. Central to this narrative are the numerous murders that drive the series’ dark, unsettling atmosphere. This article delves into the six most significant murders in the FNaF universe, exploring their impact on the story and the characters involved.
1. The Murder of Charlotte Emily
Charlotte Emily, also known as Charlie, is a pivotal character in the FNaF series. Her death is the catalyst for much of the tragedy that unfolds.
The Incident
Charlotte Emily was the daughter of Henry Emily, co-founder of Fredbear’s Family Diner. Her murder occurs outside Fredbear’s Family Diner, where she is trapped by the Puppet, who ultimately becomes her guardian spirit. The killer, William Afton, takes advantage of her vulnerability during a rainstorm to commit the heinous act.
Impact on the Lore
Charlotte’s death is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it introduces the character of the Puppet, who plays a crucial role in the subsequent games. The Puppet is driven by a desire to protect other children from suffering the same fate, becoming a key figure in the animatronic haunting.
Secondly, Charlotte’s murder establishes the recurring theme of children’s spirits possessing animatronics. Her spirit merges with the Puppet, setting a precedent for other victims of William Afton. This merging of spirits with machines is a cornerstone of the FNaF mythology.
Connection to Other Murders
Charlotte’s murder is directly linked to the other killings committed by William Afton. It signifies the beginning of Afton’s spree, leading to the creation of numerous haunted animatronics. Her death is the first in a series of events that spiral into a nightmare of vengeance and retribution.
2. The Missing Children’s Incident
The Missing Children’s Incident is perhaps the most infamous event in the FNaF series. This incident involves the abduction and murder of five children by William Afton.
The Disappearance
The children—Gabriel, Jeremy, Susie, Fritz, and Cassidy—were lured into the back room of Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza by Afton, disguised as one of the animatronics. Once there, he killed them and hid their bodies within the animatronic suits.
Haunting and Revenge
The spirits of these children would go on to possess the animatronics: Freddy, Bonnie, Chica, Foxy, and Golden Freddy. These haunted machines then seek revenge against their murderer, contributing to the sinister aura of Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza.
Legacy of the Incident
The Missing Children’s Incident is crucial as it solidifies the main antagonist, William Afton, as a remorseless serial killer. It also introduces the idea that the animatronics are haunted by the spirits of his victims, turning the pizza place into a haunted house of horrors.
This event is the backbone of the FNaF narrative, providing the primary motive for the animatronics’ aggressive behavior. It also cements the series’ central theme of vengeance from beyond the grave, driving the story forward across multiple games.
3. The Death of Elizabeth Afton
Elizabeth Afton’s death is another significant murder within the FNaF universe, deeply intertwined with the lore and character motivations.
Circumstances of Her Death
Elizabeth, William Afton’s daughter, was fascinated by the animatronic Circus Baby, which was designed by her father. Despite being warned to stay away, her curiosity led her to get too close to Circus Baby, who then malfunctioned—or rather, functioned as designed by her father—and killed her.
Transformation into Circus Baby
Elizabeth’s spirit went on to possess Circus Baby. This possession not only brought Circus Baby to life but also imbued the animatronic with Elizabeth’s memories and emotions. This duality within Circus Baby adds a layer of complexity to the character, making her a tragic figure within the series.
Impact on William Afton
Elizabeth’s death profoundly affects William Afton. Driven by his grief and madness, he continues his gruesome experiments, leading to further tragedies. Her death symbolizes the destructive consequences of Afton’s obsession with animatronics and immortality.
Role in “Sister Location”
Elizabeth’s presence as Circus Baby is central to the plot of “Five Nights at Freddy’s: Sister Location.” Her interactions with the player and her internal conflict highlight the series’ theme of innocence corrupted by evil. The narrative explores her struggle against the malevolent programming of Circus Baby, offering a glimpse into the human side of these haunted machines.
4. The Bite of ’83
The Bite of ’83 is a tragic event that underscores the dangers of the animatronics and the negligence within the Fazbear establishments.
The Incident
The Bite of ’83 occurs at Fredbear’s Family Diner, involving a child known as the Crying Child, who is later revealed to be Evan Afton, William Afton’s youngest son. During his birthday party, his older brother Michael and his friends, in a cruel prank, forcefully bring him close to Fredbear’s animatronic. In a moment of malfunction, Fredbear’s jaw clamps down on the Crying Child’s head, resulting in fatal injuries.
Aftermath and Significance
The Bite of ’83 has several critical implications for the FNaF lore. Firstly, it highlights the inherent danger and potential for malfunction in the animatronics. This incident contributes to the already eerie and unsafe reputation of Fazbear’s establishments.
Secondly, it significantly impacts Michael Afton, burdening him with guilt and responsibility for his brother’s death. This guilt drives Michael’s actions in the subsequent games, particularly in “Sister Location,” where he attempts to rectify his father’s sins and free the trapped spirits.
Psychological Impact on William Afton
The death of Evan Afton profoundly affects William Afton, exacerbating his descent into madness. This incident is a turning point that further fuels his obsession with achieving immortality through his gruesome experiments, as he desperately tries to overcome death.
5. The Murder of Susie
Susie’s death is another tragic event that exemplifies the malevolence of William Afton and the ensuing supernatural consequences.
The Event
Susie, one of the missing children, was lured into the back room of Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza by Afton, disguised as an animatronic. She was subsequently murdered and her body hidden within the Chica animatronic.
Haunting of Chica
Following her death, Susie’s spirit possesses Chica, transforming the animatronic into a vessel of vengeance. The haunting of Chica adds to the eerie atmosphere of the pizzeria, as Susie’s spirit seeks retribution against her killer.
Role in the Series
Susie’s story is particularly poignant as it reveals the vulnerability of the children who frequented Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. Her transformation into Chica is emblematic of the tragic fate that befell the missing children, illustrating the series’ recurring theme of innocence lost to evil.
Narrative Importance
Susie’s murder underscores the recurring motif of spirits inhabiting the animatronics, driving their hostile behavior. It also deepens the mystery surrounding the pizzeria, contributing to the fear and uncertainty experienced by both the characters and the players.
See also: 7 Steps To Play Five Nights At Freddy
6. The Murder of Gabriel, Jeremy, and Fritz
Gabriel, Jeremy, and Fritz are three of the five children involved in the Missing Children’s Incident, but their individual stories and significance merit further exploration.
The Murders
These three children were also lured and murdered by William Afton, their bodies hidden within the Freddy, Bonnie, and Foxy animatronics, respectively. Their spirits went on to possess these animatronics, continuing the cycle of haunting and revenge.
Impact on the Animatronics
Gabriel becomes Freddy Fazbear, the face of the franchise. His possession of Freddy makes the animatronic a central figure in the haunting, symbolizing the anger and desire for justice of the murdered children.
Jeremy inhabits Bonnie the Bunny. As Bonnie, Jeremy’s spirit contributes to the eerie, hostile presence of the animatronics, further enhancing the horror elements of the series.
Fritz possesses Foxy the Pirate. Foxy, with his unique, disheveled appearance and aggressive behavior, adds a layer of unpredictability and fear to the game, driven by Fritz’s restless spirit.
Their Collective Role
Together, Gabriel, Jeremy, and Fritz represent the collective tragedy of the Missing Children’s Incident. Their transformation into the animatronics epitomizes the core horror of the FNaF series—the blending of childlike innocence with monstrous vengeance.
Narrative Function
The haunting of Freddy, Bonnie, and Foxy by these children serves multiple narrative purposes. It provides a backstory for the animatronics’ aggressive behavior, creates a sense of continuity and connection across the games, and reinforces the central theme of spirits seeking justice for their untimely deaths.
Conclusion
The murders within the “Five Nights at Freddy’s” series are not mere plot devices but are integral to the intricate and haunting narrative that has captivated fans worldwide. Each murder, from Charlotte Emily’s tragic death to the horrifying events of the Missing Children’s Incident, weaves together a tapestry of horror, vengeance, and the supernatural.
These stories highlight the consequences of unchecked evil, the lingering presence of past sins, and the relentless pursuit of justice from beyond the grave. They form the backbone of the FNaF lore, driving the characters’ motivations and shaping the eerie, unsettling world of Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza.
As the series continues to evolve, these murders remain central to the mythology, ensuring that the tales of Charlotte, Elizabeth, Susie, Gabriel, Jeremy, Fritz, and the Crying Child continue to haunt players, long after the game is over.
Related topics:
Mega Cat Studios and Scott Cawthon Team Up for New Retro FNAF Game
Five Nights at Freddy’s: Designer Addresses Animatronic Backlash and the Red-Eye Debate
Decoding the Enigma: Understanding Five Nights at Freddy’s Ending