Why Derek Was Killed Off in Grey’s Anatomy

Derek Shepherd’s story ended unexpectedly after 11 seasons in Season 11, Episode 21, “How to Save a Life.” While Patrick Dempsey made a brief appearance in a dream sequence during Season 17 when Meredith was seriously ill with COVID-19, Season 11 truly marked the end of his character’s arc and a major shift for Grey’s Anatomy. Because his departure was so sudden, fans have long been curious about what really happened behind the scenes.






