How was Lee Dutton killed off in Yellowstone? 

Lee Dutton in the series (Image via Paramount+)
Lee Dutton in the series (Image via Paramount+)

The wealthy Dutton family in Yellowstone holds a large ranching presence in Montana. This has also led it to make numerous enemies, which also led to the death of Lee Dutton in Yellowstone Season 1 Episode 1. When his cattle went into Broken Rock Indian Reservation, and Duton was determined to get them back, he ended up getting shot by Robert Long.

As the eldest son of John and Evelyn Dutton, Lee was the heir to the Dutton fortune and the largest ranch in Montana.

Always by his father's side, Lee worked diligently to keep the animals within their property. Even his death was a result of protecting everything his family had worked for.

***Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers to the series of Yellowstone***


How Lee Dutton’s death is important in Yellowstone

Among the biggest losses in Yellowstone was Lee Dutton's. Played by Dave Annable, even in death, his character's shadow hangs over the show.

The eldest son of John Dutton III, Lee was the embodiment of what it means to be a Dutton in Yellowstone. As the ranch's Livestock Agent, Lee was passionately devoted to the land and his family — there was no distinction between work and life. His dedication to the ranch and his family was evident in his little brother Kayce goading him throughout the first episode.

But, of course, it is his attachment to the land and its wealth that killed him. It was the power-seeking, blood-related people who cut his life short. Though his portrayal was short this storyline opened up the opportunity for a great storyline that the series of Yellowstone has depicted to date.


Revisiting the scene in Yellowstone where Lee Dutton gets shot and killed

In Season 1 episode 1, some of the cattle drifted onto the land next to the ranch which belonged to the Broken Rock Indian Reservation. That night, the Duttons returned to the border to collect the stray cattle, but the people on the reservation knew they were coming, which started a feud for power. The Broken Rock Police tried to calm things down, but in the meantime, Lee Dutton was shot by Robert Long, a resident of the reservation.

Things soon got complex with the arrival of Kayce, who tried to prevent things from getting worse, only to discover that the shooter was Robert Long, the brother of his wife Monica. Kayce jumped in and shot Robert, his brother-in-law, dead.

Lee Dutton had a rather sad and short end. However, he is still seen in photographs in episodes, and Kip Denton plays the character in flashbacks. The character may be short-lived, but it remains the central focus of the show.


If you love watching the series. Then you can stream the show currently available on Paramount+.

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Edited by Vishal Kataria