* Stanley Yelnats III's great-great-grandfather, Stanley Yelnats I: He died in the town of Green Lake, presumably from thirst, after being accused of stealing a valuable pig. His death sets off a chain of events that lead to the curse on his family and Stanley's eventual imprisonment.
* Kissin' Kate Barlow: The outlaw who was accused of stealing the pig. She was captured and hanged by the townspeople, but is rumored to have hidden a treasure somewhere in Green Lake. Her death is significant because it adds to the mystery and intrigue surrounding the town and the curse on the Yelnats family.
While these deaths are crucial to the plot, it's important to remember that no characters die during the events of the story as it unfolds for Stanley.