has it actually been confirmed?

hi, I’ve been thinking about JJ’s death ever since i saw the episode. i’m fairly certain it is because Rudy Pankow wanted to leave the show, but has it actually been confirmed anywhere? or is it just a deduction/rumor that’s been taken as a fact by the fandom? i gotta admit, i’m still a tiny bit hopeful JJ’s gonna come back to life, i refuse to accept such a character dies like that. anyway yeah, i guess my question is : where is it clearly stated that Rudy Pankow wanted to leave, therefore they killed off his character?