Spoilers for The Walking Dead 8x08, "How It's Gotta Be."

The shocking final moments of The Walking Dead's mid-season finale saw longtime survivor Carl Grimes reveal he had been bitten by a walker, a revelation that will result in the young Grimes' inescapable death in February.

Dedicated The Walking Dead spoiler site The Spoiling Dead Fans regularly shares leaks and spoilers from the hit AMC series, but the site refused to spoil the events of the episode ahead of its December 10 airing.

"We have our reasons for doing this which we'll share after the episode," the site wrote in a message to its members on December 7. "We know this is disappointing for thousands of people that depend on us, and we fully expect some backlash. We're ready to take the heat."

The day after Sunday's big reveal, the site delivered their full explanation: Carl actor Chandler Riggs politely asked The Spoiling Dead Fans to keep the episode's big revelation a secret.

"So I've come to realize that you all have probably figured out the big reveal at the end of 808," Riggs wrote in a private message.

"I get that you guys have been doing this since we started, but I have a request. Out of respect for me, for Carl, and for one of the last few seasons of the show, I'm using you to not spoil the ending of 808 once your sources inform you of what happens."

"I poured my heart into a couple of episodes this season, and 808 is one of them," Riggs continued.

"I'm so proud of my performance and a lot of it rides off of a surprise ending. Of course this is what you all do, but the integrity of what happens is pretty crucial to my performance throughout the rest of the episode and I'd really appreciate it if you all would hold back just this one time."

Riggs, who confirmed Carl's death and his departure from the show, added, "This is the only time I'll request something like this, so don't worry about me coming back later and doing the same thing."

The big reveal upset fans and Riggs' father, who blasted the show in light of Riggs' abrupt end with The Walking Dead after more than seven years.

The Walking Dead returns to AMC in February to air the remaining episodes of season 8.

The Walking DeadSunday at 9PM EST on AMC

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