Category: Finance | Title: How Did Will Die on Criminal Minds | Tag: Criminal Minds | Meta Description: How did Will die on Criminal Minds, the timeline, the killer, and the impact on the BAU team...
How Did Will Die on Criminal Minds
Will LaMontagne Jr., a recurring character in Criminal Minds, dies in the Season 12 episode "The Crimson King" after being stabbed by a serial killer known as the Crimson King. The attack occurs during a hostage situation in a hospital, where Will is working as a nurse and becomes collateral damage in the unsub's killing spree. His death marks a major turning point for the BAU team, especially for his partner, SSA Jennifer "JJ" Jareau, who is shown struggling with grief and guilt in subsequent episodes. The storyline was designed to highlight the personal risks agents face when working high-profile cases, and it directly influences JJ's decisions and emotional arc for the remainder of the season. For more background on the show's structure and character arcs, you can refer to the official Criminal Minds overview on CBS Criminal Minds CBS.
The Identity of the Killer
The Crimson King, portrayed by actor Michael Trucco, is a disgruntled former patient who targets healthcare workers and law enforcement officers connected to cases he blames for his incarceration. He carefully plans the attack in the hospital, using his knowledge of hospital layouts and security gaps to trap the BAU team. Will's death is portrayed as sudden and brutal, emphasizing the unpredictability of violent encounters even in controlled environments. The unsub's motive is rooted in a warped sense of revenge, and his killing spree is eventually stopped by the BAU after a tense standoff. This arc mirrors real-world concerns about workplace violence in hospitals, a topic widely reported by agencies such as OSHA OSHA Workplace Violence.
Impact on the BAU Team
Will's death creates a ripple effect across the team, with JJ taking extended leave to process her grief and guilt over his killing. The episode "The Crimson King" uses flashbacks and emotional scenes to show how Will's relationship with JJ deepened over the seasons, making his loss feel personal to both the characters and the audience. The BAU's investigation into the Crimson King becomes more urgent, as the team grapples with the idea that their work put an innocent bystander in harm's way. This narrative choice reflects broader themes in the series about the psychological toll of criminal profiling and the sacrifices made by law enforcement. The show's handling of trauma has been compared to other long-running crime dramas, as noted by industry analysis on outlets like Variety Variety.
JJ's Character Development After Will's Death
Following Will's death, JJ is depicted as more guarded and emotionally volatile, which affects her interactions with the rest of the team and her performance in the field. The writers use her grief to push her toward a temporary departure from the BAU, a storyline that resonates with viewers who have followed her journey since the early seasons. This arc also sets up future storylines involving JJ's return and her efforts to reintegrate into the team while carrying the weight of Will's memory. The decision to kill off a recurring character like Will, rather than a main cast member, allows the show to explore loss without derailing the core ensemble dynamic. Similar character-driven deaths in long-running series have been studied for their impact on viewer engagement, as discussed in reports by Nielsen Nielsen.
How Criminal Minds Handles Character Deaths
Criminal Minds has a history of killing off both main and recurring characters to raise the stakes and reflect the dangerous nature of the team's work. Will's death is one of several impactful losses the show has used to drive emotional storytelling and character growth. The series often pairs these deaths with high-stakes investigations, ensuring that the narrative tension remains high even during moments of grief. This approach has helped the show maintain a loyal fan base