When does Carl die in The Walking Dead?

Carl Grimes was a major player in The Walking Dead. When does he die throughout the show’s 11 season run?

The Walking Dead is set to come to an end when season 11 concludes. The show has been a fixture for TV fans for the past 12 years and its conclusion is without a doubt the end of an era.

If you haven’t been watching the show in years and are tuning back in for season 11, you might have noticed that the series looks a little different. Characters that once were there are nowhere to be seen (including leading man himself Andrew Lincoln who played Rick Grimes).

Another face we haven’t seen in some time is Chandler Riggs, who portrayed Carl Grimes throughout the vast majority of The Walking Dead‘s run. Unfortunately, the likelihood of Carl popping up in the eleventh season is slim as the character was killed off some time ago.

If you’re just catching up now and would like to know more about Carl’s demise, here is what you need to know.

When does Carl Grimes die in The Walking Dead?

Carl dies in The Walking Dead season 8. His death comes as the result of a walker bite, which the young hero unfortunately gets after helping Siddiq honor his mother by killing walkers in the hopes that their souls are released.

The fatal bite isn’t revealed to viewers right away (though the look on his face when it happens makes it clear that something isn’t right). We find out in the midseason finale of season 8 (episode 8), “How it’s Gotta Be”, when a visibly weakened Carl distracts the Saviors and protects the people of Alexandria. When Rick and Michonne return, they discover the walker bite on his abdomen – as do we.

It turns out that Carl spent his last day writing letters to the people he loved, telling them of his dreams that the war with the Saviors would be over some day, and that they could rebuild the world, life and start all over again; that there would be life after. He also wanted the same for Negan.

Carl passes away in the midseason premiere of season 8 (episode 9), “Honor”, after emotionally telling his father Rick, stepmother Michonne, and sister Judith how much he loved them.

Carl was a pivotal part in ending the war, as he ultimately convinced Rick and Negan that there was a better way of living; a peaceful one.

It goes without saying that his presence on the show is still missed, and it’s easy to see why his death remains such a polarizing decision.

Do you miss Carl on The Walking Dead? Do you wish he was still on the show? Let us know in the comments below!