Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey) — aka McDreamy, aka Meredith's one true love — died in a car accident in season 11. "The decision to have the character die the way he did was not a difficult one in the sense of, what were the options," show creator Shonda Rhimes said in 2015.

What episode does Shepard die?

What episode does Derek Sheperd die in? Derek Sheperd's fate was ultimately be decided in Season 11 Episode 21 “How to Save a Life.”

Why did they kill off Shepherd?

The relationship between Meredith and Derek wasn't easy to follow, but by season 11 they were already formally married and were parents to two kids, with Meredith expecting another one. ... After a lot of complications, he couldn't be saved, and Meredith decided to remove him from life support.