Colby Mayfield, Richards’ fan-favorite character on the hit Paramount Network show, was killed during the latest episode of the series’ fifth and alleged final season. The Dutton family ranch hand accidentally died in a horse stall. He was fatally struck by a horse after saving young ranch hand Carter (Finn Little).

Denim Richards is the latest Yellowstone actor to see his character written off in a dramatic way during Season 5. On Sunday's episode, Colby was killed by a horse. "I took my boots and I took my hat,

An actor whose character was shockingly killed off in the latest episode of Yellowstone has paid tribute to his time on the show. Denim Richards, 36, played cowboy Colby Mayfield for two seasons of the Paramount Network drama,

With only two episodes left in season 5 of Yellowstone (and possibly/probably the series overall), it seems like the wrong time to randomly kill off an otherwise uninvolved side character and spend the bulk of the episode informing people of his untimely death and mourning him.

Fans watching the episode at home took to social media to voice their opinions. @iLEADFARMER wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "That was not cool. I hate that they killed Colby. If ANYONE deserved a happy ending when this series ends,

If you haven't seen the latest episode of Yellowstone, stop reading and return after you do. Colby's death seems to be random. It could certainly have been any one of the Bunkhouse Boys, but like a puppy or kitten you didn't know you needed,

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,