Summary

• Hannah's first reason for her suicide was Justin Foley, who started a rumor about her that tarnished her reputation. Meanwhile, Alex Standall contributed to a "Hot List" that further damaged Hannah's reputation and sparked aggression from others.
• Jessica Davis, Hannah's former friend, turned against her and bullied her after their friendship ended. Her friend Courtney also contributed by hiding the truth.
• The biggest reason involved Bryce Walker, who sexually assaulted both Hannah and Jessica.

This article contains mentions of suicide, self-harm, drug abuse, and sexual assault.

Netflix's 13 Reasons Why initially told the story of Hannah Baker (Katherine Langford) and the titular 13 reasons she chose to take her own life – but what were Hannah's 13 reasons? 13 Reasons Why was based on the book of the same name by Jay Asher. Like the book, the show appeared to tell a self-contained story of Hannah Baker - exploring the lead-up to and direct aftermath of her suicide. With the town still mourning the tragedy, Clay receives a set of cassette tapes on his doorstep. As he begins to listen to them, he realizes that they function as an audio suicide note.

Divided into seven tapes, both sides of each corresponded to a specific person and a specific event. 13 Reasons Why's increasing backlash and criticism over the years led to the deletion of the scene where Hannah takes her life. But season 1 was met with critical acclaim, conveying a powerful, hard-hitting narrative through the lens of dark and desperately serious subject matter, including bullying, drug abuse, and sexual assault. The show chronicles topical issues that teens face today but controversially takes on these topics.

Reason 1 - Justin Foley

Justin Started A Rumor About Hannah In School

In terms of Hannah's 13 reasons, the first had to do with Justin Foley. In 13 Reasons Why season 1, episode 1, "Tape 1, Side A," both Clay and the audience hear the story of Hannah's first kiss. New in town, her friend Kat throws a party in Hannah's honor, so she can meet people. Unfortunately, one of the people she meets is Justin Foley (Brandon Flynn). Immediately developing a crush on him, Hannah eventually agrees to a date after the pair bonded.

While in a park after dark, Justin takes a photo as she comes down the slide. They then share a kiss. The next day, however, Justin succumbs to peer pressure and shows around the photo he'd taken, which includes a glimpse under Hannah's skirt. Simultaneously, Justin implies that more sexual exploits than a kiss had taken place. As such, not only was a special first in Hannah's life tainted, but her entire reputation was damaged by the deceitful rumor.

Reason 2 - Jessica Davis

Jessica Began Bullying Hannah After Their Friendship Ended

13 Reasons Why season 1, episode 2, "Tape 1, Side B" focused on Jessica (Alisha Boe). Jessica was a big factor when it comes to Hannah's 13 reasons, and the loss of friendship greatly influenced Hannah Baker's 13 reasons. As a fellow newcomer to town, Hannah and Jessica quickly became friends. Before long the duo became a trio when they met Alex (Miles Heizer), forming the "FML Club." Sadly, though, things sour when Alex and Jessica start dating.

As a couple, they start ignoring and distancing themselves from Hannah, leaving her isolated. Worse came still when they broke up, with Jessica erroneously blaming Hannah and bitterly scorning her further. Believing that Alex must have cheated with Hannah, Jessica slaps her and calls her a slut. The situation is only exacerbated by Justin Foley's assertions that something sexual in nature happened between them, stoking the fire of the rumors that were already traveling the school about her. Hannah describes the moment as having broken her heart.

Reason 3 - Alex Standall

Started A Best/Worst Hot List With Hannah On It

13 Reasons Why season 1, episode 3, "Tape 2, Side A" centered on Alex Standall, who later took his own life and was another major player in Hannah's 13 reasons. Hannah reveals that Alex had contributed to something known as "The Hot List." The offending document originated with the jocks and circulated around the school. In an attempt to bond with the popular elite, Alex adds the sections "Best and Worst Ass." Under the former, he names Hannah and under the latter he names Jessica.

Alex did so not because of his genuine opinion but to spite Jessica for not having sex with him. The act served to spark Jessica's aggression towards Hannah and furthered the tarnished reputation that originated with Justin's lie, creating something of a rumor snowstorm about Hannah's proposed promiscuity and making her life generally difficult as she's teased and accused of doing things she didn't do. All of this culminated in increasingly unwelcome attention from male students - most notably when Bryce Walker (Justin Prentice) groped her at the local store.

Reason 4 - Tyler Down

Tyler Was A Stalker Who Spread Around Photos Of Courtney & Hannah Kissing

In 13 Reasons Why season 1, episode 4, "Tape 2, Side B," Hannah Baker had once been stalked, and Tyler Down was one of the many answers to Hannah's 13 reasons. She reveals that the stalker was Tyler Down (Devin Druid). The socially awkward photographer developed a crush on Hannah after she was kind to him. Unable to express his feelings healthily, however, he resorts to following her and taking photos without her permission.

One of the photos he captured was of a kiss between her and Courtney (Michele Selene Ang), fueled by alcohol and a game of Truth or Dare. The act of the drunken kiss, and Tyler's abhorrent actions, read as homophobic and were one of the many 13 Reasons Why controversies. When confronted, Tyler asks Hannah out on a date, which she angrily rebuffs. In his petulant rage, Tyler leaks the photo around the school. Though few people were able to recognize the subjects of the photo, it left Hannah even more depressed and anxious, as well as ended any chance at friendship with Courtney.

Reason 5 - Courtney Crimsen

Hid The Truth About Her Relationship With Hannah

13 Reasons Why season 1, episode 5, "Tape 3, Side A" explored the direct aftermath of Tyler leaking the Polaroid and had a major impact on Hannah's 13 reasons. Due to being adopted and raised by a gay couple, Courtney was fearful of the false implication her lesbianism would provoke, and her internalized homophobia was one of the many controversial elements of the series. As a result, Courtney distanced herself from Hannah to prevent anybody from linking them to each other or the photo. Unfortunately, Monty de la Cruz (Timothy Granaderos) deduced the truth.

When confronted, Courtney crafts a web of lies that play into the rumors already circulating about Hannah and just adds fuel to the flame that was Hannah Baker's 13 reasons. She states that it was Hannah and another girl, that Hannah enjoys threesomes, and that everything about her and Justin was true. As a result, not only is Hannah distraught by another potential friend's betrayal, but she is immediately beset by further unwanted advances and harassment.

Reason 6 - Marcus Cole

Marcus Attempts To Sexually Assault Hannah

The subject of 13 Reasons Why season 1, episode 6, "Tape 3, Side B" is Marcus Cole (Steven Silver), who only serves to further complicate Hannah's life and adds another installment to Hannah's 13 reasons. Though outwardly appearing to be a model student, Marcus is revealed by Hannah to have contributed to her harassment. Initially coming across as a nice guy, he arranges a date with Hannah for Valentine's Day.

However, he turns up late and alongside an entourage of jocks. As they watch from a different table, Marcus becomes more and more sleazy in his approach. After moving around to her side of the table, he persists in touching her inappropriately. Furthermore, he snaps angrily when she ultimately rebuffs him. Bitter that she defies his belief that Hannah is easy prey, Marcus goes on to preemptively taint Hannah's reputation further to try to maintain his own.

Reason 7 - Zach Dempsey

Zach Removes Attempts To Boost Hannah's Confidence At School

13 Reasons Why season 1, episode 7, "Tape 4, Side A" was centered on Zach Dempsey (Ross Butler), and Hannah's interactions with Zach speak to another betrayal. Zach was one of the athletes in attendance for Marcus and Hannah's disastrous date. Unlike the others, however, he reaches out and tries to console her. Hannah appreciated the sentiment and the two bonded.

Unfortunately, things go wrong when Zach expresses romantic interest. Still sore from everything that had happened with others, Hannah feels insulted and frustrated by yet another advance because of the swirling rumors of her promiscuity. After being publicly rebuked, Zach retaliated by stealing complimentary notes (secretly written by Clay) that Hannah had been receiving in English class. Hannah described those notes as a "lifeline" amid her increasing depression, and the theft served as a fresh and especially hurtful betrayal.

Reason 8 - Ryan Shaver

Ryan Posts One Of Hannah's Writings WIthout Her Permission

In 13 Reasons Why season 1, episode 8, "Tape 4, Side B," Hannah attempts to channel her pain into poetry, but sadly, this healthy method of release turns out to be one of Hannah's 13 reasons, when Ryan Shaver gets involved. After joining a club, she becomes friendly with Ryan Shaver (Tommy Dorfman), who serves as editor of the school newspaper. He encourages her creative outlet and helps her find the bravery to read them out in their group. Ryan goes a step too far, however, when Hannah refuses to let him publish one of her pieces.

Instead of accepting her decision, he steals the poem from her and publishes it anyway. Hannah's embarrassment and betrayal of trust are exacerbated by the poem being read out in class. Though it was marked as anonymous, Hannah sees signs that Marcus and Courtney, among others, figure out the truth and are ridiculing her over it. On the tape, Hannah describes the theft as what ultimately broke her spirit.

Reason 9 - Justin Foley Revisited

Justin Lets Bryce Sexually Assault An Unconscious Jessica

Things took an even more serious turn in 13 Reasons Why season 1, episode 9, "Tape 5, Side A," and out of all the reasons 13 Reasons Why presented, the way this one was portrayed and handled was the most controversial. For the second time, Justin Foley is listed as one of Hannah's reasons. On the recording, Hannah recounts the events of a party. Having been in a room alone and preparing to leave, Hannah had hidden in a closet when a couple entered. That couple is revealed to be Justin and Jessica.

After laying her down, Justin leaves, only to be met by Bryce - who asserts that he should be allowed in the room. After Justin acquiesces, Bryce rapes a largely unconscious Jessica. Though Justin eventually makes an ill-fated attempt to stop him, Hannah blames Justin for allowing Bryce entry in the first place and not doing more to protect Jessica. Hannah also conveys that she felt her share of guilt for having been too scared to come out of her hiding place. It's a harrowing scene that takes him a long time to try and redeem himself ahead of Justin's untimely death.

Reason 10 - Sheri Holland

Sheri Inadvertently Causes An Accident That Killed Jeff Atkins

The subject of 13 Reasons Why season 1, episode 10, "Tape 5, Side B" is revealed to be Sheri Holland (Ajiona Alexus), whose actions the night of Jessica's assault ended up being one of Hannah's 13 reasons. After witnessing the traumatic sexual assault of Jessica, a distraught Hannah is offered a lift home by Sheri. More tragedy ensues, however, after a distracted Sheri knocks down a stop sign. Though Hannah remains adamant that they should call someone or do something, Sheri succumbs to fear of getting in trouble with the police.

As a result, she merely drives away and leaves Hannah stranded. While Hannah sought a phone to report the incident, it is revealed that the sign being damaged had caused a car crash. The accident costs Clay's friend, Jeff Atkins, his life. Jeff is also posthumously blamed for the crash, falsely decreed to have been driving under the influence. Sheri faces no punishment for her crime in 13 Reasons Why before Hannah's tapes. After Sheri unsuccessfully tries to tell one of the crash victims, Mr. Cantrell, what happened, she eventually reports herself to the police in one of the few redeeming acts seen in 13 Reasons Why.

Reason 11 - Clay Jensen

Clay Left Hannah Alone As She Asked At Jessica's Party