D is for Desmond thrown out of a sleigh.
I is for Ida who drowned in a lake.
M is for Maude who was swept out to sea.
N is for Neville who died of ennui.
I've always loved the macabre humour and beautifully detailed drawing of Edward Gorey's work. Here are a few samples from his classic book The Gashlycrumb Tinies, an alphabet of truly unfortunate children. You can see the entire series here.