He had been diagnosed with the disease in February 2015. After some initial confusion when "The Tuscaloosa News" leaked a draft obituary for Stabler before word of his death could be confirmed, his family confirmed his death in a statement issued on July 9. In February 2016, "The New York Times" reported that researchers at Boston University discovered high Stage 3 chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in Stabler's brain after his death. He was buried at Pine Rest Cemetery in Foley, Alabama.