Season 16, Episode 16 of Grey's Anatomy , titled serves as the official farewell to original cast member Justin Chambers , who played Dr. Alex Karev . The episode aired on March 5, 2020, and is one of the most controversial in the series' history due to how it handles Alex's departure. ✉️ The Core Format: Letters from Alex

He discovered that Izzie used the embryos they froze years ago when she had cancer.

He apologizes for leaving via a letter and reveals he is filing for divorce. He leaves her his shares in Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.

Rather than appearing in person, Alex’s exit is explained through four separate sent to his closest friends and family. These letters reveal that Alex has been in Kansas for several weeks and does not plan to return to Seattle.

Alex explains she will always be "his person," but he found a reason to stay away that he couldn't ignore.

Alex claims that while he still loves Jo , he cannot bear to let his children grow up without a father the way he did. He is now living on a farm in Kansas where Izzie works as a surgical oncologist. ⚡ Secondary Storylines