Wondering if Will LaMontagne Jr. dies in Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3? The longtime fan-favorite, played by Josh Stewart, faces a sudden medical crisis in Episode 2, leaving viewers shocked and J.J.’s world turned upside down. As the BAU grapples with Voit’s return and a disturbing new case, tragedy strikes closer to home.
Here’s what we know about Will’s fate and how it changes the course of the season.
Does Will die in Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3 and how?
Yes, Will LaMontagne Jr. dies in Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3, Episode 2.
He collapses in front of J.J. at home, initially believing he’s experiencing a migraine. Later at the hospital, the BAU learns that Will suffered a fatal aneurysm linked to a rare thyroid complication. J.J. informs the team that Will has died.
This death marks a major emotional shift for J.J., who begins the episode by saying she and Will thought they had “all this time.” The team rallies around her at the hospital, providing immediate support. Actor Josh Stewart, who played Will since 2007, had confirmed in January 2024 that he would not be returning for Season 3. Showrunner Erica Messer later told TVLine, “We love Will” but “it just didn’t work out.”
Will’s sudden death also sets up the return of Spencer Reid, played by Matthew Gray Gubler, in Season 3, Episode 3. Reid appears at Will’s funeral, marking his first on-screen return since the original series ended in Season 15. According to Newsweek, while Reid’s appearance is limited, it hints at a possible emotional arc for J.J., especially considering their complicated past.
Behind the scenes, the episode was especially difficult for the cast. Paget Brewster said in an interview with The Independent, “[It] was a really difficult episode to shoot, because we were saying goodbye to Will, and we were saying goodbye to Josh Stewart, who’s played Will for what, maybe 17 years?”
Will’s death not only serves as a turning point in the season’s narrative but also impacts the trajectory of several characters. It reinforces the unpredictable nature of Criminal Minds: Evolution and opens the door for potential developments involving J.J. and Reid.
