Sir Charles dies of a heart attack, but he is really murdered by his neighbor Mr. Stapleton. Charles Baskerville died in a “sudden and tragic death,” and it was his death that led to Sherlock Holmes being hired.

The superstitious Charles suffered a heart attack after being frightened by the animal.

A locally noted philanthropist, Sir Charles had retired to his family estate in 1887 after some years in South Africa, where he had made a fortune through shrewd investments. His death was attributed to a heart attack, but his face had an expression of horror, and not far from his body were the footprints of a gigantic hound.