Emily in Corpse Bride was murdered by her fiancé, Lord Barkis, who was after her money. He left her in the woods on her wedding day, and by the end of the movie, she finally realizes the truth, lets Victor go, and is freed from the curse holding her back.

Quick Scoop

  • Emily’s death was a betrayal: she thought she was eloping for love, but Barkis used her to steal her family’s fortune.
  • The movie implies he stabbed her and left her to die in the forest.
  • In the ending, Emily forgives Victor, releases him to be with Victoria, and passes on peacefully.

What happened

Emily starts out as the “corpse bride,” but her backstory is tragic rather than scary. She had once planned to run away with a man she loved, only to be murdered by him when he revealed his real motive was greed.

Ending

By the finale, Emily discovers Barkis is her killer, and after he gets what’s coming to him, she lets go of her own heartbreak. She dissolves into butterflies and finally finds freedom.

If you want, I can also explain why Emily is such a sympathetic character or give you a full plot recap.