Everyone who died in the Saiyan Saga

The Saiyan Saga (the start of Dragon Ball Z) is short, but incredibly deadly: it begins with Raditz’s arrival, moves into desperate training to face the invaders, and peaks when Nappa and Vegeta land on Earth. Below is everyone who died in the Saiyan Saga (from the Raditz arc through the end of the battle with Vegeta) and who killed them.

Deaths in the Raditz arc:

1) Raditz — killed by Piccolo
Raditz is finished off when Goku restrains him so he can’t escape, and Piccolo lands the killing blow with the Makankōsappō (Special Beam Cannon), piercing both of them.

2) Goku (Kakarot) — killed by Piccolo
Goku dies in the same attack that kills Raditz, because he chooses to sacrifice himself to guarantee Raditz is eliminated.

Deaths during Nappa and Vegeta’s arrival:

3) Chiaotzu — killed by Nappa
Chiaotzu tries to self-destruct while holding Nappa in place, but Nappa survives, so Chiaotzu’s death comes from the failed suicide attack against him.

4) Yamcha — killed by a Saibaman
Yamcha is caught off guard, and the Saibaman self-destructs, taking Yamcha with it.

5) Tien (Tenshinhan) — dies from exhaustion after fighting Nappa
After pushing himself past his limit and burning through his life energy to stop Nappa (including repeated use of the Tri-Beam/Kikōhō), Tien dies from sheer overexertion. It isn’t a clean “final blow,” but it happens because of the fight with Nappa.

6) Piccolo — killed by Nappa
Piccolo jumps in to protect Gohan from an incoming blast and takes the hit. The fatal attack is from Nappa.