Zach’s dad passed away before the events of the series.
In the Netflix series “13 Reasons Why,” Zach Dempsey, one of the main characters, is shown to be dealing with the loss of his father. Zach’s dad died of a heart attack, and this event had a significant impact on Zach’s life and character development throughout the series. The loss of his father is a sensitive topic for Zach, and it is one of the reasons he keeps his emotions and struggles hidden from his peers. The absence of his father also affects his relationship with his mother and his actions at school, as he tries to navigate his grief and the pressures of high school life.