AceShowbiz -

The time has come to finally say goodbye to A.J. Cook and her character Jennifer Jereau on "Criminal Minds". While JJ attempts to reunite a family whose daughter has mysteriously disappeared, her BAU family braces for the loss of one of their own.

JJ's departure from the show was the producers' decision for creative reason and budget cut. When the news hit headlines in June this year, her fans set up an online petition to topple down the decision. The devotees went as far as sending the CBS headquarters with lipsticks and file folders as signs of protest. The campaign was also held to give Paget Brewster's Emily Prentiss more screen time.

Showrunner Ed Bernero was pro the idea but the petition could only bring JJ for 2 episodes airing this Fall. Bernero said the September 29 episode would put a lid on the character which has stayed in the BAU department for 5 years.

Executive producer Simon Mirren told TV Guide, "We've always intimated that JJ's character has connections outside of our world - other more powerful elements in the government. Those powers that she's connected with come back into her life. So basically, what we're saying is, our loss is going to be somebody else's gain."