On the new CBS Matlock reboot, Billy Martinez (played by David Del Rio) is quietly written out of the story rather than dramatically killed off or recast.

On the show: What happens to Billy?

Within the Matlock storyline, Billy simply stops appearing at the Jacobson Moore law firm after mid–Season 2. His absence is explained in dialogue rather than with an on‑screen exit.

Key in‑universe points:

  • Billy’s girlfriend Claudia suffers a miscarriage, and he takes personal time away from work.
  • Colleagues cover for him by saying he is “out sick” or taking a “personal day.”
  • In a later episode, an efficiency/HR figure jokes there’s “no need” for him to return and that his job has been “eliminated,” implying his position at the firm is cut and he will not come back.

So, in‑story, what happened to Billy is that he steps back from the firm after a personal tragedy, and his job is then eliminated for cost/efficiency reasons, effectively ending his role in the series world.

Behind the scenes: Why he really left

Off‑screen, the bigger story is about the actor, David Del Rio.

  • CBS investigated an alleged sexual assault incident involving Del Rio and costar Leah Lewis (who plays Sarah).
  • Following the investigation, the network fired Del Rio and chose not to bring him back for future episodes.
  • He had already filmed part of Season 2, which is why Billy appears through the first several episodes and then abruptly disappears after the midseason stretch.
  • The writers decided to write Billy out instead of recasting the role, then used the miscarriage and job‑elimination beats to “organically” close his arc.

Entertainment outlets and fan forums note that this combination of a personal‑life tragedy plus an off‑screen job cut is how the show handled his exit while production moved forward without the actor.

Quick bullet recap

  • On screen:
    • Claudia’s miscarriage leads Billy to step back from work.
* Later, it’s suggested his job at the firm is “eliminated,” so he simply does not return.
  • Off screen:
    • David Del Rio was fired after a CBS investigation into an alleged sexual assault incident.
* Producers decided to write out Billy rather than recast him, using the personal and workplace explanation to tie up the character.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.