It felt like a gut punch. You’re sitting there watching Criminal Minds: Evolution, expecting the usual high-stakes profiling, and suddenly, the foundation of the Jareau-LaMontagne household isn't just shaky—it’s gone. For seventeen years, Will LaMontagne Jr. was the rock. He was the New Orleans detective who stole JJ’s heart, the husband who actually stayed, and the dad who made sure Henry and Michael were okay while their mom was out catching serial killers.
Then came the news that Josh Stewart was leaving the show.
It wasn't a rumor. It wasn't a "maybe." In January 2024, Stewart basically broke the internet (or at least the Criminal Minds corner of it) by tweeting that his days playing Will were over. Fans were blindsided. We’d just survived a cancer scare in Season 16 (the first season of Evolution), and showrunner Erica Messer had promised us he was "not necessarily out of the woods," but we didn't think the woods were this dark.
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If you were looking for Will in Season 17, you didn't find him. The show played it off with the classic "he’s busy at work" excuse. JJ would mention him in passing, but the screen felt empty without that Louisiana drawl.
Then Season 18, Episode 2, titled "The Zookeeper," happened.
Honestly, it was brutal. The episode doesn't even let the team finish their victory lap after catching the latest Unsub before reality hits. Will is at home. He mentions a headache. It seems like nothing—until it isn't. He collapses in the kitchen. By the time the BAU gathers at the hospital, the news is final: Will LaMontagne Jr. is dead. He died from a rare brain aneurysm, a complication tied back to that thyroid issue we thought was under control.
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The most heartbreaking part? Josh Stewart didn't even film new footage for his death scene. A.J. Cook (JJ) revealed in interviews that the show actually used a deleted scene from the first season of Evolution to depict his collapse. They didn't want to ask Stewart to come back just to die, so the writers got creative—and cruel, depending on which fan you ask.
Why Josh Stewart Left the Show
Everyone wants to know why. Was there drama? A contract dispute? Honestly, it seems a lot more mundane and a lot more final than that. Josh Stewart had been playing this character since 2007. That is a massive chunk of an actor's life.
While Stewart never gave a detailed "tell-all" reason for his departure, he was very clear on social media that it was his choice to move on. He's been busy with other projects, like the Apple TV+ series Manhunt, and it seems like he just felt the character’s journey had reached its natural end.
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Erica Messer tried to make it work for Season 17, but the schedules didn't align. Rather than recasting—which would have been a disaster because nobody else can do that specific brand of "Will charm"—they decided to use his absence to fuel JJ’s character development.
A History of Will and JJ (The Best Couple on the Show)
Let’s look back for a second. Will and JJ weren't supposed to be "it."
- The Meeting: They met in Season 2, Episode 18, "Jones," while the team was in New Orleans.
- The Secret: They dated in secret for a year.
- The Pregnancy: When A.J. Cook got pregnant in real life, the writers wrote it in. Will moved to D.C., gave up his life in NOLA, and became the ultimate BAU spouse.
- The Wedding: It took a literal hostage crisis in the Season 7 finale for them to finally tie the knot in David Rossi’s backyard.
They were the only stable relationship in a show filled with divorce, trauma, and dead girlfriends. That’s why his death in Criminal Minds: Evolution feels so personal. It broke the one rule the show usually followed: JJ gets to be happy.
What Most People Get Wrong About His Exit
There's a common misconception that the "cancer scare" in Season 16 was just a random plot point. It wasn't. It was actually based on A.J. Cook’s real-life husband’s health battle. The writers wanted to honor that experience by giving JJ and Will a similar hurdle.
The mistake fans make is thinking the writers planned to kill him then. They didn't. They actually "pulled" the scene of him collapsing in Season 16 because they were terrified Stewart would think they were killing him off and leave. Ironically, he left anyway, and they had to use that very scene to write his final chapter in Season 18.
How Will’s Death Changes JJ Forever
Going forward, JJ isn't just a profiler; she’s a grieving widow and a single mother. This isn't just "sad for an episode." The showrunners have made it clear that this will be her primary arc for the foreseeable future.
We’re seeing a version of JJ that is insular and fiercely protective. She’s trying to hold it together for Henry and Michael, but the BAU family is struggling to know how to support her. Prentiss, Rossi, and the rest of the team are walking on eggshells. It’s a messy, realistic portrayal of grief that Criminal Minds hasn't really explored since the early days with Hotch.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're still processing the loss of Will LaMontagne Jr., here is how to navigate the new era of the show:
- Watch Season 16 Again: Pay close attention to the thyroid/cancer storyline. It provides the medical "logic" (as much as TV logic goes) for his eventual aneurysm in Season 18.
- Follow A.J. Cook’s Interviews: She has been very vocal about how difficult it was to film the funeral scenes without her longtime scene partner. It adds a layer of depth to her performance.
- Expect a "Single Mom" Arc: Don't expect JJ to jump into a new relationship (no, not even with Reid) anytime soon. The writers are focusing on the weight of her new reality.
The departure of Will LaMontagne Jr. from Criminal Minds marks the end of an era. He wasn't just a side character; he was the heartbeat of the show’s most beloved family. While we won't see him in the bullpen or the kitchen anymore, his impact on JJ’s life—and the show's history—is permanent.
Next Step: You should go back and re-watch the Season 7 finale, "Run," to see Will at his absolute best before diving into the heavier episodes of Evolution Season 18. It’s the best way to remember why we loved him in the first place.