Tragic reason The Simpsons killed off Edna Krabappel

There is a tragic reason behind why The Simpsons killed off Edna Krabappel.

Edna Krabappel, voiced by Marcia Wallace, starred as the fourth-grade teacher who taught Bart Simpson's class at Springfield Elementary School.

Best known for tasking El Barto with chalkboard-based punishment and having a tough time in the world of romance - Edna soon became a beloved fan favourite amid Simpsons fans all over.

Fox

It's no secret that The Simpsons has seen several characters come and go over the years since the show first debuted back in 1989.

The animated cartoon - now 748 episodes strong - has been part of our childhoods, adolescence and even adult lives for some 34 years now.

And, over that time, fans have become quite attached to a handful of frequently-recurring characters - one of which is Miss Edna Krabappel.

So, it's no wonder audiences were left reeling after the unlucky-in-love educator vanished off the longest-running American scripted primetime show for good.

Fox

While Edna's character started off as a strict teacher hellbent on making trouble-maker Bart's life a living hell, fans got to later see a whole new side to her and the series progressed.

Namely, a soft romantic as opposed to a domineering battle-axe.

The most recurring theme in Edna's pipeline was her floundering love life with her most memorable relationships being with boss Principle Seymour Skinner alongside Homer Simpson's neighbor, Ned Flanders.

Edna and Ned were revealed to be married in season 23’s episode 'Ned ‘N Edna’s Blend' but eager viewers didn't get to see much of their lives as newlyweds at all after the bride was written out in season 25 which aired between 29 September, 2013, and ended on 18 May, 2014.

Fox

The voice actor for the character, Wallace, sadly passed away in October 2013 leaving show runner Al Jean to reveal that the Edna Krabappel would subsequently be retired from The Simpsons.

The character's death was first acknowledged on the show in the third episode of season 25, 'Four Regrettings and a Funeral', in which Bart scribes a heartfelt tribute to his late teacher on the chalkboard during the opening sequence.

It read: "We’ll really miss you Mrs. K."

While Edna's cause of death was never officially determined, it was mentioned that it was Homer's fault in season 23’s 'Holidays of Future Passed' - who had also been the reason for Maude, Ned's ex-wife's untimely passing too.

Her final canon appearance was in a joyful memory of two-time widower Ned and it's clear that fans still miss her to this day.

RIP Marcia Wallace.