The Five Most Shocking NCIS Character Deaths: From Kate Todd To Ducky Mallard's Emotional Farewell

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) team has endured more loss than almost any other squad on television, consistently delivering gut-wrenching, shocking character deaths that redefine the series' direction. Since its premiere, the show has never shied away from killing off integral agents and allies, ensuring that the stakes in every investigation feel intensely personal and real. As of December 2025, the most recent and perhaps most poignant farewell was to a beloved original cast member, marking a significant turning point in the show's history and leaving fans reeling from the emotional impact. This in-depth look explores the biggest character exits—from the sudden, violent losses that changed the show forever to the recent, tearful tributes—and provides the most up-to-date information, including a confirmed upcoming death in the latest season. The constant threat of mortality is a core element of the *NCIS* universe, and these moments of tragedy are what give the procedural its deep, enduring emotional resonance.

The Most Recent Loss: Dr. Donald 'Ducky' Mallard (Season 21, 2024)

The most significant and recent character death on *NCIS* was the emotional farewell to Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard in the Season 21 premiere episode, "The Stories We Leave Behind," which aired in February 2024. This particular death carried immense weight because it was both a fictional character exit and a real-life tribute. The actor who played Ducky, the legendary David McCallum, passed away in September 2023, and the show dedicated the episode to honoring his legacy. Ducky Mallard, the eccentric and beloved Chief Medical Examiner and later NCIS Historian, was found to have passed away peacefully in his sleep. The episode focused on the team, particularly Dr. Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen), processing the grief and solving Ducky's final, unfinished case. The tribute was a powerful moment of television, featuring a cameo from Michael Weatherly as Special Agent Tony DiNozzo, who returned to pay his respects to his former colleague and mentor. This confirmed Ducky's death as the most recent and most heartbreaking major character exit in the show's history.

The All-Time Most Shocking and Sudden NCIS Deaths

While Ducky's farewell was poignant, other deaths throughout the series were far more shocking due to their suddenness and violence, instantly changing the course of the show and the lives of the characters who remained. These exits are often cited by fans as the moments that defined *NCIS*'s willingness to break the mold.

Special Agent Caitlin 'Kate' Todd

Kate Todd's death remains the gold standard for shocking TV exits. Special Agent Kate Todd (Sasha Alexander) was a main character from the pilot episode and a former Secret Service agent who became an integral part of Gibbs' team. * Episode: "Twilight" (Season 2, Episode 23) * Circumstance: She was shot in the head by the terrorist Ari Haswari, shocking viewers who believed the episode was over. * Impact: Her death was the show's first major character fatality and cemented the idea that no one on the team was truly safe, setting a dark, high-stakes tone for the rest of the series.

NCIS Director Jennifer 'Jenny' Shepard

Director Jenny Shepard (Lauren Holly) was a complex character with a deep history with Gibbs, and her death was a major plot point tied to her past. * Episode: "Judgment Day" (Season 5, Episode 18) * Circumstance: She was shot and killed in a gunfight with assassins in a deserted diner in Los Angeles, which was revealed to be connected to an old undercover operation she and Gibbs had shared. * Impact: Her exit opened the door for Leon Vance to take over as Director, significantly restructuring the leadership of NCIS.

Special Agent Paula Cassidy

Agent Paula Cassidy's death was a heroic sacrifice that demonstrated the personal cost of the War on Terror within the NCIS universe. * Episode: "Grace Period" (Season 4, Episode 19) * Circumstance: She died in a suicide bombing attack at a naval base in the aftermath of a terrorist threat. * Impact: Her final act of heroism—sacrificing herself to minimize the casualties—deeply affected the entire team, particularly DiNozzo, and highlighted the real-world dangers faced by NCIS agents.

The Confirmed Major Death Coming in the NCIS Season 22 Finale

Looking ahead, the tension surrounding character mortality is being ramped up once again. In a significant piece of breaking news, it has been confirmed that the *NCIS* Season 22 finale will feature another major death. Star Wilmer Valderrama, who plays Special Agent Nick Torres, confirmed the shocking news, stating, "Somebody is going to die on the show, and it's not the victim of the week." This revelation has immediately sparked intense fan speculation across all social media platforms regarding which character will meet their demise. The fact that the death is confirmed to be a significant character, rather than a one-off case victim, suggests that the show is preparing another seismic shift for the series, similar to the impact of Kate Todd's or Jenny Shepard's exits. Fans are now closely watching the final episodes of the season for clues and warnings, preparing for another emotional blow.

Other Notable NCIS Character Exits and Deaths

The list of major character deaths extends beyond the main team members, often involving recurring allies or agents from spin-off shows, which are all part of the larger *NCIS* topical authority. These deaths, while perhaps not as central, still provided emotional depth and high drama. * Special Agent Christopher Pacci: Notable as the first major NCIS agent to die on the show, he was killed in the Season 1 episode "Dead Man Talking." His death was a cold case that the team later solved, establishing the show's procedural format. * Special Agent Ned Dorneget: An analyst from the NCIS Cyber Operations Division, Dorneget died heroically in Cairo while protecting Director Vance. His death was a major event in the Season 12 finale. * Special Agent Clayton Reeves: A British intelligence officer working as an NCIS liaison, Reeves (Duane Henry) was killed tragically in a drive-by shooting while trying to protect Abby Sciuto, leading to her eventual departure from the team. These recurring deaths serve as constant reminders of the perilous environment the NCIS team operates in, reinforcing the risks associated with investigating naval crimes. The show's ability to integrate these tragic events into the ongoing storyline is a key reason for its longevity and success.