Will’s Death Explained: How One Scene Changed JJ’s Life Forever
As Criminal Minds fans, we’re used to the unexpected. We’ve seen countless heartbreaks, goodbyes, and close calls. But nothing—and I mean nothing—prepared me for what happened to Will LaMontagne Jr. in Season 18, Episode 2 of Criminal Minds: Evolution.
That single moment in the kitchen, so quietly devastating, didn’t just change JJ’s life. It left a mark on all of us who’ve followed her journey from small-town profiler to one of the BAU’s emotional anchors.
What’s more haunting? That moment was filmed years ago, waiting—just like us—for the right time.
A Death That Was Years in the Making
Yes, you read that right. The heartbreaking scene where Will collapses in front of JJ after complaining of a sudden headache? That wasn’t freshly shot for Season 18. According to EW and Decider, showrunner Erica Messer revealed the moment had been filmed several seasons ago when the writers were exploring a potential storyline involving Will’s health issues—specifically, cancer.
“We filmed it, but we never used it,” Messer explained. “It felt too dark, too soon.”
So they kept it. And in a twist of dramatic fate, it found its home when actor Josh Stewart confirmed in early 2024 that he would not be returning to the series. “Sad to say I will not be returning to Criminal Minds,” he posted. “You’ve all been the best fans ever.
The decision was made to use the previously shelved footage and write Will out of the story through a sudden, medically plausible tragedy—a ruptured thyroid artery aneurysm. No final speech. No long goodbye. Just one moment, and he was gone.
JJ’s New Reality
As a long-time fan, I always thought JJ and Will were the heart of the show. Amid the darkness of serial killers and twisted minds, they gave us love, family, and hope.
Watching that disappear in an instant was gut-wrenching.
The aftermath is raw and real. JJ, played with aching authenticity by A.J. Cook, is now facing life as a widow and a single mother. Her shell-shocked silence in the hospital, her trembling voice when she said, “You said we had time, Will,” was as heartbreaking as anything this show has ever done.
This isn’t just a dramatic twist. It’s a redefinition of her character. Who is JJ without Will? How does she continue profiling monsters while rebuilding her own life from ashes?
The Return of Reid—And What It Means
And then came the unexpected cameo: Dr. Spencer Reid (Matthew Gray Gubler) at Will’s funeral. Fans lost it (yes, I squealed out loud). Though his return was brief, it was emotionally loaded, suggesting that Criminal Minds hasn’t fully closed the door on its past.
Will this loss draw the old team closer again? Could it open the door for Reid’s slow reintroduction in future episodes? While Gubler has stated he’s focusing on other projects, showrunner Messer hasn’t ruled out more surprise appearances.
From My Screen to Yours — Let’s Talk
Will’s death wasn’t just the end of a character. It was the shattering of stability in a world already drowning in chaos.
And yet, the way the writers honored his quiet strength—with dignity, realism, and long-buried footage—was a bold move that hit harder than any serial killer plot ever could.
So now I turn to you, fellow fans:
How did you feel when Will collapsed?
Do you think JJ can ever truly recover?
And what should the show explore next as she enters this new chapter?
Let’s talk grief, memory, and what it means to love a character like Will—flawed, loyal, gentle—and lose him.
