How Did Mel's Husband Die On Virgin River - Country Living Magazine

Virgin River took Netflix by storm in December 2019, and the story of nurse/midwife Melinda Monroe (Alexandra Breckenridge) immediately captured our hearts. Mel arrives in the small, tight-knit town in search of a fresh start, but for much of season one, her past remains a mystery, only to be unveiled through a series of dramatic flashbacks.

Rampant speculation begins among the town rumor mill (ahem, Hope) as Mel grows closer to local bar owner Jack Sheridan (Martin Henderson). It does not go unnoticed that she continues to wear a wedding ring, leaving everyone wondering what happened to Mel's husband, Mark. [SPOILERS AHEAD!]

How Did Mel's Husband Die on Virgin River?

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Throughout season 1, Mel's tragic backstory is revealed. She and her husband, sailor/doctor Mark (Daniel Gillies), are happily expecting a baby, only to have the pregnancy end in a stillbirth. As a result, Mel suffers from depression. The couple undergoes infertility treatment without success. Mel wants to continue the treatments, but Mark is ready to stop, seeing the toll it is taking on his wife and their marriage. They get in an argument in the car while Mark is driving, and he takes his eyes off the road and gets in a horrific car accident, and ultimately dies at the hospital. Mel feels responsible for these heartbreaking events.

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As season 2 begins, Mel is grappling with her feelings for Jack as the one-year anniversary of Mark's death approaches. The situation comes to a head when Mark's sister Stacie (Melinda Dahl) arrives unexpectedly. She's engaged and wants Mel to return her engagement ring, which was a family heirloom.

Although Mark's character is not around in season 3 or 4, his presence is very much felt. Mel had some embryos frozen before Mark died and she undergoes fertility treatments when she and Jack break up at the end of season 3. In season 4, Mel and Jack are back together and Mel is pregnant, but she doesn't know if the father is Mark or Jack.

Catch Up on the 'Virgin River' Book Series

Virgin River (A Virgin River Novel Book 1)

$5 at Amazon

Shelter Mountain: Book 2 of Virgin River series (A Virgin River Novel)

$2 at Amazon

Whispering Rock: Book 3 of Virgin River series (A Virgin River Novel)

$9 at Amazon

A Virgin River Christmas (A Virgin River Novel Book 4)

$7 at AmazonKatie BowlbyDigital Director

Katie Bowlby is Digital Director at Country Living, where she covers pop culture news including country music, Yellowstone, and all things HGTV, plus gift guides and product reviews. She has been with Country Living for more than 11 years. Before that, she worked for Southern Living. The Indiana University grad also stitches up the cross-stitch pattern for every issue of the magazine.