And he probably would have been OK to continue in the force if this had been his first, second, or even third offense, but the investigation that follows concludes that his history of lethal actions (not to mention how obtuse and stubborn he is) warrants mandated counseling before coming to the decision of whether or not he should return.
And if you know anything about Stabler, it’s that he’d rather not work than talk to a counselor, which leads him to the decision to formally retire. We won’t even get into how hurt Olivia is by his actions, or how he disappeared off the fact of the earth after that episode, not even returning for Munch’s big farewell.
So no, he’s not dead, but for all intents and purposes, he might as well be.
Season 21 of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit premieres Sept. 26 at 10 p.m. on NBC.
Source : https://www.distractify.com/p/what-happened-to-elliot-stabler-svu