The 20 most heartbreaking TV character deaths
Derek Shepherd – ‘Grey’s Anatomy’
In a series that has seen more than its share of tragic deaths since its premiere, Season 11 of Grey’s Anatomy brought us one of the most shocking ends to a major character. After saving two teens involved in a car crash on a mountain road, Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey) was hit by a semi as he pulled away from the scene. He was alive and conscious when he arrived at Dillard, the nearest hospital, but wasn’t able to speak although his internal monologue showed he knew a heat CT was needed. The doctors figured it out too late and Derek was declared brain dead. After having him taken off life support, Meredith pleaded with him to stay until the very end. Even though this character’s death resulted from Dempsey wanting to leave the long-running series, it still stings to this day.
Jen Lindley – ‘Dawson’s Creek’
It certainly wasn’t a happy ending for everyone in the series finale of Dawson’s Creek. During Gale Leery’s second wedding, Jen (Michelle Williams), now a single mother to a one-year-old, passes out. While she’s hospitalized, Jen reveals to her best friend, Jack (Kerr Smith), that she has a fatal heart condition and that nothing can be done to help her. Jen passes away with her grams at her side, leaving her daughter, Amy, in Jack’s care.