[header] How to kill off a hero or other character [title] Decide who you want to kill off. [step] It sounds simple, but there can be multiple heroes. Maybe you want to kill off the secondary character, or kill the villain but then have the hero die unexpectedly. 
Multiple deaths can add unpredictability, all though don't over do it. Also, a secondary character death can add just as much emotion without completely uprooting the plot-it could create grief and stress for the hero or major characters.