Ever since its release, AMC’s The Walking Dead has remained one of the most loved series in TV history. 

Not just the series, The Walking Dead also has a huge fanbase that has come to love the post-zombie apocalypse world through its comics and video games.

And while the fans of the show have shown significant support for the series all these years, they have also been vocal about their dissatisfaction frequently.

One such occasion was when Carl Grimes, played by Chandler Riggs, died halfway through season 8 in an episode titled 'Horror.'

While rumors of Carl dying in the 8th season had been floating around for a couple of weeks before the episode aired, many fans expressed their disappointment at the development.

The comic fans were even more bitter about Carl's death, as it was the biggest deviation the story of the series had taken from the comic. Unlike the series, Carl was still alive in the comic and playing a central role.

“The Walking Dead should have ended with All Out War. No Season 9, just finish with the time jump Carl dying is the worst f—ing plotline in the world, completely [expletive] the comics,” wrote one user.

Another user expressed similar sentiments, “I’m getting heated about #TWD because I’m a huge fan of the comics and it’s been one of my favourite shows since it started. It kills me to have to watch it be turned into a show full of lazy writing and cheap schticks.”

How Did Carl Grimes Die?

In the eighth season, Carl sets out to find Shiddiq, a loner whom Rick, Carl's father, had chased off.

Once Carl meets up with Shiddiq, the two team up to dispose of a few undead as the latter believes it would free the souls of the undead.

Unfortunately, the incident results in Carl getting bitten by a walker in his ribs. The segments revolve around Carl saying goodbye to his father, Rick, and best friend, Michonne.

In the end, while Rick and Michonne wait outside Gabriel’s church at daybreak, Carl ends his own life by shooting himself.

Why Was Carl Grimes Killed in ‘The Walking Dead?’

Carl's death came as a shock to many viewers. They were understandably pissed at the unexpected development, and many speculations about why Carl was killed off flew around.

As Riggs, the actor who plays Carl, was “fired” from the show just two weeks prior to his 18th birthday, many speculated that it was a cost-saving decision as he could negotiate a new contract once he turned 18.

Chandler Riggs with fellow cast members on the set of 'The Walking Dead'

Chandler Riggs with fellow cast members on the set of 'The Walking Dead.' (Source: Instagram)

Riggs’ father had also previously taken to Facebook to express his disappointment over The Walking Dead showrunner Scott M. Gimple handling Carl's exit from the show.

“Watching Gimple fire my son 2 weeks before his 18th birthday after telling him they wanted him for the next 3 years was disappointing,” he wrote.

“I never trusted Gimple or AMC, but Chandler did. I know how much it hurt him. But we do absolutely know how lucky we have been to be a part of it all and appreciate all the love from fans all these years.”

Episode director and executive producer of TWD, Greg Nicotero, told Insider that Carl's death was something that Gimple and many authors had been thinking about for quite some time.

While his death certainly made the plot deviate from the comic, they thought it was a necessary development for things that would follow.