“How did Ty die on Heartland?” is a question on many fans’ minds who may not have seen every episode of the long-running Canadian TV series. The comedy-drama series, based on the books of the same name by Lauren Brooke, premiered on the CW in 2007 and follows the exploits of Amy Fleming (Amber Marshall) and her older sister Louise “Lou” Fleming (Michelle Morgan) as they work their titular family’s ranch. Heartland is filmed in the same location it’s set, Alberta, Canada, and features an ensemble of characters who grow up throughout the ongoing series.

Tyler “Ty” Borden, played by Graham Wardle, first appeared in the series premiere “Coming Home” as a ranch hand hired by Lou and Amy’s late mother. At first an arrogant and cocksure cowboy type who refuses to listen to his new overseers, Ty eventually softens, learning to respect the sisters, earning their respect in turn, and even beginning a long relationship with Amy that leads to a daughter. Wardle and his character were beloved keystones in the Heartland story, making his shocking and sudden death a bit confusing.

Ty Died From A Burst Blood Clot After Getting Shot In Heartland

Ty Was Shot In Season 13 And Died In Season 14

Ty’s death could have been prevented but unfortunately, no one, including the ranch hand-turned-vet himself, was aware of how much danger he was in. In the Heartland season 13 finale, “The Passing of the Torch”, Ty is shot by a poacher trespassing on the Heartland land. While the end of the episode makes it look like he’s recovered from his wound, a case of deep vein thrombosis silently developed. The season 14 premiere, “Keep Me in Your Heart”, sees Ty collapse to the floor and die due to the complications resulting from the shooting.

Ty’s death shakes the entire ranch, none more so than his wife Amy. The show skips a year after Ty’s death, and it’s clear the young woman is still grieving her late husband. She still refuses to finish building the house she and Ty planned on living in and is frozen by the idea of having a memorial for him. However, a late-night talk with her grandfather, Jack (Shaun Johnston), when he tells her about how his own wife died, helps ease Amy’s suffering and helps her reckon with her loss and celebrate his life with the memorial.

Why Ty Actor Graham Wardle Left Heartland (& What He’s Doing Now)

Wardle Wanted To Try New Things

Those looking for tumultuous gossip may be disappointed as Graham Wardle’s character wasn’t killed off for any behind-the-scenes drama. The reason is much more simple, as Wardle tells The Chronicle Journal,

“I felt in my heart it was time to move in a new direction.”

Wardle had played Ty for over 13 seasons and had felt he’d grown out of the role. Far from a bitter departure, Wardle’s costars and creative team on Heartland expressed their understanding of his decision, with Amber Marshall saying,

“I think it’s so important to listen to our gut and know what really drives us and to follow that. And yes, you’re going to hurt people along the way. But he did it in such a respectful way to all of us. And I think that that is the most important thing.”

Wardle only had good things to say about his time on the show and soon after his departure, appeared on the YouTube channel Heartland to say thanks to everyone,

“I would like to say thank you. I would like to say how sincerely grateful and appreciative I am of all the people that have supported me and the show for all these years. It’s meant a lot to me to hear from fans about the stories that we have told that I have been a part of that have touched them, that’s what means the most to me.”

In terms of his experience with Ty and Heartland,

…so I feel very satisfied and grateful to have been able to play the character of Ty for these 14 years and go through that arc of healing the different areas of his life and the fears and the insecurities and overcoming those because that’s what is fulfilling. And then, as an audience member as well, that’s what I find the most fulfilling and rewarding is watching a character grow internally, overcome fears, and then expand and grow and become more grounded and connected to themselves…”

Since leaving Heartland, Wardle has not appeared in any television shows or movies, but he has continued hosting his podcast, “Time Has Come”, which explores the personal journeys and growth of his guests. Wardle started his show while still appearing on Heartland and many cast and crew members appear as guests on the podcast, which has over 32K followers on YouTube alone.