While the exact number of children William Afton, also known as the "Purple Guy," killed is never explicitly stated in the Five Nights at Freddy's franchise, it is generally accepted that he killed five children. This number is derived from various clues throughout the games, including the presence of five spirits haunting the animatronics and the discovery of five missing children posters in the first game.
Evidence of Afton's Crimes
Here's how we arrive at the conclusion that Afton killed five children:
- The Missing Children: The first game prominently features five missing children posters, each with a different child and a distinct name: Charlotte, Gabriel, Fritz, Susie, and Jeremy.
- The "Purple Guy" Minigames: The "Purple Guy" minigames in the first game depict a shadowy figure luring children into a back room and stuffing them into animatronic suits.
- The Spirits: The spirits of these five children are confirmed to be the ones haunting the animatronics throughout the games, particularly in FNAF 3 where they are explicitly named.
- The Bite of '87: While not directly confirmed to be a murder, the infamous "Bite of '87" incident, where a child is bitten by an animatronic, is often attributed to Afton. This incident leads to the animatronics being reprogrammed, and Afton's involvement in this event is heavily implied.
The Number Five and its Significance
The number five holds significant importance in the FNAF lore. It's not just about the number of children killed; it also signifies the number of spirits needed to fully activate the "Remnant," a powerful supernatural force that is central to the story.
Additional Clues
While the five children are generally accepted as the confirmed victims, there are other instances in the games that suggest there might be more. For example, in FNAF: Sister Location, there is a "Circus Baby" animatronic that appears to have a similar history as the other animatronics, suggesting another child victim.
Conclusion
While the exact number of children William Afton killed might be debated, the evidence overwhelmingly points towards five children being the confirmed victims. These children's spirits are the driving force behind the franchise's horror, and their tragic fate is a central element to the complex narrative of Five Nights at Freddy's.
