diff --git a/backend/app/services/narrative/character_engine.py b/backend/app/services/narrative/character_engine.py
index 67d3934f..4b67b29e 100644
--- a/backend/app/services/narrative/character_engine.py
+++ b/backend/app/services/narrative/character_engine.py
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ def create_initial_character(
         "backstory": backstory,
         "motivations": motivations or [],
         "personality_traits": personality or [],
+        "status": "alive",
         "emotional_state": {
             "current": dict(INITIAL_EMOTIONAL_STATE),
             "history": [],
diff --git a/backend/tests/test_character_engine.py b/backend/tests/test_character_engine.py
index a2795ebc..dcad377f 100644
--- a/backend/tests/test_character_engine.py
+++ b/backend/tests/test_character_engine.py
@@ -40,3 +40,8 @@ def test_dislike_post_increases_anger():
     char = create_initial_character(char_id="x", name="X")
     apply_action_emotional_delta(char, "DISLIKE_POST")
     assert char["emotional_state"]["current"]["anger"] > 0.0
+
+
+def test_create_initial_character_sets_status_alive():
+    char = create_initial_character(char_id="x", name="X")
+    assert char["status"] == "alive"