Criminal Minds Teases An Original CBS Character Death In Season 19

Although Criminal Minds: Evolution saw the fall of a character from the original CBS series when Will LaMontagne died in the previous season, it’s possible that the series is teasing another death in the coming episodes that will rock the BAU once more. Throughout Criminal Minds season 19 thus far, there have been a few strong through lines that have kept viewers guessing as to what’s coming next. While the Elias Voit (Zach Gilford) storyline has been compelling for the BAU, the outsider perspective, which has pulled in constant nuisance Brian Garrity (Paul F. Tompkins), is rich with potential drama.

While Garrity, who first appeared during Criminal Minds season 15, has been an interesting part of the BAU’s problems over the course of his time on the series, he’s made gradual progress getting closer to the team. Particularly, Garrity’s relationship with Prentiss (Paget Brewster), has been an interesting mix of push and pull. Garrity has been a pain for Prentiss over the years, but has ultimately helped in his own convoluted ways as she’s worked through some of the most difficult cases the BAU has ever dealt with. In recent episodes, Garrity’s involvement in the Voit copycat case has grown.

With Garrity getting closer to the epicenter of an incredibly difficult case, it’s clear that Criminal Minds: Evolution is doing something interesting with his character, but it seems possible that he could be in grave danger. After spinning similar storylines for Garrity, he could be close to meeting his end.

Criminal Minds: Evolution Has Started Building To Brian Garrity Being A Possible Casualty

Elias Voit (Zach Gilford) and Brian Garrity (Paul F. Tompkins) in Criminal Minds season 19.

Although the threads are loose, it’s possible that Criminal Minds season 19 could be setting up a death for Brian Garrity in the coming episodes. Throughout the season, viewers have been seeing Garrity more consistently than in the past. From his work partially against the BAU after starting his Sicarius Files podcast to stepping forward with the more recent threats he received from the Voit copycat, Garrity has become a big part of the Criminal Minds season 19 storyline. Unfortunately for Brian, exposure could mean that he’s on his way out of the Criminal Minds universe after appearing for years.

It seems possible that with the copycat killer going directly to Garrity, he could be a target for the killer as he moves forward with his plans to impress Voit. Brian bringing Rossi (Joe Mantegna) onto his podcast was meant to be a way to quell the copycat, but with Garrity dangling the carrot of Voit having heard it in front of the new UnSub, it’s possible that he could’ve found himself even more embedded in the killer’s behavior than he anticipated. By leaning into his involvement, Criminal Minds could be setting the character up to take a fatal fall.

The BAU Losing Brian Could Be A Major Moment For Prentiss This Season

Although Criminal Minds: Evolution already saw the team dealing with a massive personal loss for one of its own last season, it’s possible that a storyline that features Garrity’s death could impact Prentiss on a personal and professional level. Although their relationship has been adversarial at best on Prentiss’ side, losing Brian could impact her in ways that she doesn’t expect. After working with Brian and having him come to her with his own information about the copycat, Prentiss could feel more of an affinity toward him, or at the least, a hope that he stays alive moving forward.

Prentiss is no stranger to difficult moments on Criminal Minds, but her stretch on the Paramount+iteration of the show has been fairly painless thus far. While she’s had to deal with the issues throughout the BAU during Criminal Minds: Evolution’s run, Prentiss has had less personal trauma throughout the show’s four-season run thus far. Losing Brian may help Prentiss in a professional sense, but it would likely be painful in a personal sense. Criminal Minds: Evolution could be setting Prentiss up to take a major fall in the coming episodes, building to a heartbreaking new story.