The Real Story Behind Will’s Tragic End on ‘Criminal Minds’—And How It Broke JJ Forever

The relationship between Jennifer “JJ” Jareau and Will LaMontagne Jr. was a beloved anchor of stability on Criminal Minds, offering a rare glimpse of enduring love amid the show’s darkness. However, Criminal Minds: Evolution delivered a devastating blow to fans by abruptly killing Will in a sudden and tragic manner.

The character’s demise began with an unsettling moment in the kitchen, leading to his collapse from a fatal brain aneurysm. In a surprising behind-the-scenes revelation, showrunner Erica Messer disclosed that the emotional footage of Will’s collapse was not newly filmed. It was actually repurposed from an unused storyline filmed years earlier, in which Will was originally meant to face a cancer scare. Actress A.J. Cook admitted the plot had been shelved as “too much” at the time, never anticipating it would later be used for his final farewell.

JJ’s subsequent grief was portrayed with raw intensity. The typically resilient agent was consumed by guilt, haunted by thoughts that she should have recognized warning signs and insisted he see a doctor. Her pain was compounded when Will’s mother blamed her for not preventing his death. A poignant moment at the funeral saw the return of Spencer Reid, who offered his support purely as a friend, providing a small comfort in her darkest hour.

Behind the camera, the writers had known for months that actor Josh Stewart was leaving the series. The decision to use the existing footage provided a tragically fitting conclusion to Will’s story. This profound loss has fundamentally altered JJ, stripping away her emotional armor and leaving her more vulnerable than ever before. Her journey through grief promises to reshape her character in ways that will continue to resonate throughout the series.