What happened to Leslie Shay on Chicago Fire?

Leslie Shay was a popular character during her tenure on Chicago Fire. She brought a unique energy to the 51 and gelled well with her fellow paramedics.

She was also compelling in terms of her personal life. As someone with significant trust issues, we were always rooting for Shay to overcome her past experiences and find happiness.

Sadly, Shay’s quest for peace was cut short in tragic fashion. It’s been a long time since she graced the screen, so we thought it’d be a good time to refresh fans on Shay’s exit from the show and her ultimate fate.

How did Shay die on Chicago Fire?

Shay, played by actress Lauren German, was introduced in the Chicago Fire pilot and was a steady presence throughout the first two seasons. She worked as a paramedic alongside Gabby Dawson (Monica Raymund), whom she quickly grew close with. In the episode “A Nuisance Call”, however, Dawson pulls rank on an embarrassed Shay, and the pair decide  to end their friendship.

Things remain tense between the two right up to the episode “Real Never Waits”. It’s here that the pair answer a call to a building fire, and Dawson tells Shay to take the lead. Things go according to plan until an explosion causes a pipe to fall and fatally strike Shay in the head.

Dawson narrowly avoids getting hit herself, and while she attempts to revive Shay with chest compressions, she eventually realizes its too late. Shay is dead.

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It’s later discovered that the building fire was caused by Trenton Lamont (Robert Knepper), a serial arsonist who was also stalking Shay under the nose of the 51. Lamont was also responsible for the fire that claimed the lives of Ross McGowan and Henry Mill. He’s eventually killed by Antonio Dawson (Jon Seda) in the episode “Three Bells”.

Shay gets a bit of a curtail call in the season 3 episode “Always, Call It Paradise, I Am the Apocalypse”. She appears in flashbacks involving Severide (Taylor Kinney), and while nothing huge is learned about the character, its certainly a delight to see her back in the fold brief though it may be).

For the latest Chicago Fire season 10 spoilers and news, plus more on the entire series, follow the Chicago Fire category at One Chicago Center.