What happened to Abby on NCIS: Status, storyline impact, and current clarity

Abigail "Abby" Sciuto, the beloved forensic scientist played by Pauley Perrette on NCIS, exited the series in season 20 and has remained off the show since, marking a definitive departure rather than a temporary absence or redeployment. In her final episodes, Abby left Washington D.C. to travel with her longtime friend and romantic interest, Louis DiMaggio, seeking personal healing and stability after years of high-stakes cases. Her story concluded major character arcs tied to grief, loyalty, and found family, and as of the latest available information, there are no plans for her return in subsequent seasons or spin-offs. This status clarification reflects production updates and showrunner decisions rather than speculative developments.