Why Did NCIS Kill This Major Character? All About the Shocking Death That Caught Fans Off Guard

The milestone 500th episode featured an unexpected character’s death

Warning: Spoilers ahead for NCIS season 23, episode 13!

On March 24, NCIS aired its 500th episode — and the long-running procedural marked the milestone with a shocking character death.

“All Good Things,” episode 13 of season 23, was the end of an era for NCIS director Leon Vance, who has been played by Rocky Carroll since 2008.

When the actor was originally told about his character’s fate, he revealed to PEOPLE that he had an “out-of-body experience.”

Carroll opened up about his conversation with NCIS showrunner Steve Binder, who said the series’ 500th episode was “going to be a love letter” and “a tribute” to Vance. While it took “a minute” for Carroll to comes to terms with the creative decision, he agreed with Binder’s sentiment.

“When we finished it, I said, ‘I think we accomplished that,’ ” he added.

So, why was director Leon Vance killed off? Here’s everything to know about the character’s death and what Rocky Carroll has said about it.

Which character died on NCIS’ 500th episode?

On the 500th episode of NCIS, Vance was killed.

When the character was introduced in season 5, episode 14, which aired in April 2008, Vance was an assistant director. It was a recurring role for Carroll at the time.

The actor was later promoted to a series regular in season 6 when his character was made director, following the death of Jenny Shepard (Lauren Holly). Vance also appeared in episodes of NCIS: Los Angeles and NCIS: New Orleans.

Carroll remained on the show for 18 seasons, with his last episode airing in March 2026.

How was Vance killed on NCIS?

In the March 24, 2026, episode, “All Good Things,” NCIS is in the midst of getting dismantled and folded into the Army Criminal Investigative Division (CID).

While trying to save the agency he loves, Vance works with CID Agent Dolan Thompson (Matt Cook), who betrays Vance and shoots him multiple times in the chest.

It seems that Vance is saved by wearing a bulletproof vest, but in a twist, it is revealed that he didn’t put one on and is fatally injured.

Throughout the episode, Vance had been questioned by a mysterious figure (Adhir Kalyan). After Vance realizes he’s dead, the man transforms into a young version of Dr. Ducky Mallard (Adam Campbell), who tells him his sacrifice saved NCIS.

“You didn’t give up your life for nothing, dear boy. You saved your agency, your legacy will live on,” Ducky tells Vance.

With that, a montage of Vance’s most memorable moments from the series plays. He then walks into a bright light, greeted by the voice of his deceased wife, Jackie.

Why did NCIS kill Vance?

According to Carroll, the team behind NCIS wanted “to do something big” for the series’ 500th episode.

“Our executive producer, our showrunner Steve Binder, came to me after a day of filming and said, ‘So the 500th episode of NCIS is coming up and we want to do something big. We want to do something that shocks our loyal viewers and just really turns the NCIS universe upside down,’ ” Carroll recalled to PEOPLE.

Vance’s death is in line with the show’s theme of “bad guys [getting] brought to justice” — even if it means losing one of their own.

Carroll joins the list of actors who have left NCIS over the series’ long run. Other former cast members include Mark Harmon, Pauley Perrette, Michael Weatherly, Emily Wickersham and more.

What has Rocky Carroll said about leaving NCIS?

Though Carroll was initially surprised by the turn of events for his character, he came to appreciate the idea.

“I guess the director and the creative in me, my response was, ‘Really, that is actually a great story. It’s a terrific story,’ ” the actor said, adding that his final scene was “incredibly emotional on set.”

In the end, he is grateful for his nearly two-decade run on NCIS, telling PEOPLE, “If this had happened in my third season as a cast member, I’d be devastated.”

“But 18 seasons, to me, that’s the equivalent of living to be 105,” he continued. “I said jokingly to my friends, ‘You go to a memorial service for somebody who lived to be 105, you’re kind of betwixt, in between, because you’re like, ‘Yeah, it’s sad that he’s gone, but geez, he lived to be 105!’ “

Will Rocky Carroll return on NCIS?

Carroll’s last day filming as Vance was in December 2025, but he was back on the set of NCIS a month later, directing an episode — something he has been doing since season 12.

“So I’m sort of a visiting relative,” the actor said to PEOPLE. “As far as I know, I’ll be back next season to direct episodes.”

He also revealed that there have already been talks about bringing Vance “back in flashbacks.”