April was a character who appeared in a single episode of “Gunsmoke.” She died at the end of the episode.
In the long-running television series “Gunsmoke,” which aired from 1955 to 1975, many characters came and went, impacting the lives of the residents of Dodge City, the show’s setting. April was one such character, featured in the episode titled “April Fools,” which is the 24th episode of the 20th season, originally airing in 1975.
In this episode, April is a young woman who comes to Dodge City with her father. She is portrayed as being mentally challenged and is often laughed at by the townspeople because of her childlike behavior. Throughout the episode, April is shown to have a kind and gentle nature, despite the challenges she faces.
Tragically, April’s story takes a dark turn when she is assaulted by a man named Tiller Evans. Marshal Matt Dillon, the protagonist of the series, and his team take it upon themselves to protect April and bring her assailant to justice. However, the situation escalates, and in a confrontation with Tiller, April’s father is killed. In a state of shock and grief, April picks up a gun and kills Tiller, avenging her father’s death.
The episode concludes with April’s fate being uncertain, as she is last seen being taken away by the law for Tiller’s murder. The episode does not provide a clear resolution to her story, leaving the audience to ponder the consequences she might face for her actions. This episode is one of many in “Gunsmoke” that dealt with serious and often somber themes, reflecting the harsh realities of life in the Old West.