“How Did Ty Die on Heartland?”—A Goodbye Fans Will Never Forget

Ty Borden's death in Heartland was not just unexpected—it was very sad.
In the last episode of Season 13, "The Passing of the Torch," Ty is shot by someone who illegally enters the Heartland ranch. Even though he gets medical help, Ty gets better by the end of the episode. Fans felt relieved and happy.
But tragedy was silently brewing.
In the first episode of Season 14, "Keep Me in Your Heart," Ty suddenly falls and dies. What caused this? He had problems from a condition called deep vein thrombosis, which developed quietly after he got hurt. This surprising event shocked many fans of the show.

Ty's death could have been prevented, but no one, not even Ty himself, realized how dangerous his situation was after the shooting.

Amy's Grief: Living Without Ty

No one at Heartland felt Ty's absence more deeply than his wife, Amy Fleming. A time jump reveals that a year has passed, yet Amy visibly grieves.

She doesn't want to finish the house that she and Ty had dreamed of building together and planning a memorial for Ty feels impossible. After a touching conversation with her grandfather, Jack (Shaun Johnston), she begins to feel better. Jack tells her.

"You never really stop missing someone. "But remembering them with love—that's how you move forward."

Amy's experience with loss became a key part of the season. It connects with fans who have followed her and Ty's love story from the beginning.

Why Graham Wardle Left Heartland

If you're wondering whether Graham Wardle's exit was tied to behind—the—scenes drama, think again.
Wardle chose to leave Heartland.
In an interview with The Chronicle Journal, he said:

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

After playing Ty for more than 13 seasons, Wardle wanted to explore new opportunities. His decision received support from the cast and crew. Co-star Amber Marshall (Amy) said:

"It's so important to listen to our gut... He showed respect in his actions, which is what matters most."

There was no bitterness, just mutual respect and heartfelt thanks.

A Look Back: Wardle’s Message to Fans

After he left, Wardle shared a personal message on Heartland's official YouTube channel.

"I would like to say thank you. I'm sincerely grateful and appreciative of all the people who have supported me and the show. Our stories have touched people, which means the most to me."

Wardle also reflected on how meaningful the character of Ty had become in his own life:

"I feel delighted and grateful to have been able to play Ty for these 14 years… overcoming fears, healing, growing—that's what's fulfilling."

Where Is Graham Wardle Now?

Since leaving Heartland, Wardle has not acted in TV shows or movies. However, he is sharing stories in a new way.

Graham Wardle is now hosting a fantastic podcast called "Time Has Come," where he talks with guests about their journeys of personal growth and those transformative moments in life. The show has over 32,000 subscribers on YouTube and even includes some of Graham's old castmates from Heartland!

While he's shifted his focus from acting to having deeper conversations that inspire, his influence on Heartland fans is still going strong.

The death of his character, Ty, was an essential moment in the long story of Heartland. It was sad and felt real, but it also honored the journey the character and the actor went through.

Even though Graham Wardle has moved on to new things, the character Ty Borden will always be remembered as one of the most loved parts of Heartland.