Criminal Minds: Evolution delivers devastating blow with major character death

Criminal Minds: Evolution delivers a devastating blow with the unexpected death of Will LaMontagne Jr. in Season 18, Episode 3, titled Time to Say Goodbye premiered on May 22, 2025. Will's character, portrayed by Josh Stewart, has been a significant presence in the series since Season 2 of the original Criminal Minds. He was known for his relationship with JJ Jareau, which added depth to the show, and his sudden departure has left many fans feeling unsettled.

Read on to know more about how Criminal Minds: Evolution has simply disappointed its fans with the death of this character.

Here is how Will LaMontagne Jr. bid farewell to Criminal Minds: Evolution, upsetting the fans and JJ alike

Josh Stewart, who plays Will in Criminal Minds, announced his exit from the series in January 2024, stating,

“No. Sadly, my days of playing Will LaMontagne Jr. are over.” wrote on X.com.

While Stewart did not provide specific reasons for his departure, showrunner Erica Messer suggested that the actor exited because of the issues with the agreement.

In the latest episode, Will's death is depicted as a result of an aneurysm. This development was a significant emotional moment for JJ and the audience, as it marked a sudden and impactful turn in the storyline. Will's death has been confirmed now, according to reports, there is still some possibility of his character appearing in future episodes in some flashback scenes and other narrative devices. Killing off such a major character is absolutely upsetting fans, but the show will have to keep brewing the nostalgia. However, an official confirmation of the return is not out yet.

JJ’s arc in this season is already emotionally heavy. Season 3 would dive deep into JJ's personal life, as fans correctly predicted. JJ is shown planning the birthday of their son. The scene showcases some family moments, which suggest how deeply her life is intertwined with Will.

The peace is then shattered by the off-screen sudden death of Will, despite the clean bill he got in season 1 for cancer. The character was absent in season 2, and in season 2 when he came only to be written off permanently.

Will and JJ shared a rare relationship in Criminal Minds: Evolution.

JJ, Will's death could be a major transformation of an arc as they were a symbol of hope in a bleak world of BAU full of trauma, isolation, and loss. Their relationship was not perfect, but resilient. They were an example that one can still do this job and go home to something whole and not broken, or lost. Will wasn’t a distraction. He was a supportive, steady presence, a reminder that love and normalcy weren’t out of reach for the team, even with the horrors they faced.

Not just Will's death but the deaths of Haley Hotchner, Maeve Donovan, and Krystall Rossi served powerful, emotional purposes, but they also suggested that personal life is doomed if you are in BAU.

In addition to this, JJ is a former media liaison and is uniquely positioned to navigate or confront public scrutiny—a professional and personal conflict that could have given her a full arc without requiring Will’s death. Episode 2 of the season touched on this—trolls targeting JJ, endangering her peace and her children—but then shifted entirely to the trauma of Will’s aneurysm in Criminal Minds: Evolution.

Trending

Criminal Minds: Evolution might introduce some new romance to cover this up. Alternatively, it can also use these events to re-examine the culture and emotional consequences of working in the BAU, like leaning into therapy, boundaries, support systems, or even characters questioning the job itself.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback