What happened to Emily Fornell in NCIS? Character's tragic fate explored

NCIS has never shied away from portraying deaths. However, when they killed off a young Emily Fornell in Season 18, it came as a shocker for all.

Juliette Angelo's Emily Fornell was introduced in NCIS Season 4 Episode 2 titled 'Escaped'. She was the only daughter of former FBI Special Agent turned P.I. Tobias Fornell and his ex-partner, former criminal investigator Diane Sterling. When they separated, they opted for joint custody of Emily.

As a teenager, Emily struggled to balance her life with her separated parents and their demanding jobs. However, her struggles with addiction were quite evident. Her father, Tobias, tried to help her through the tough phase, but she relapsed in the end and died. Even though her tragic death was off-screen, it left the NCIS team and the viewers in utter shock.

How did Emily Fornell die in NCIS?

Emily Fornell's struggle with addiction was teased previously in NCIS. Her path to recovery was tough, but her parents tried their best to save their daughter. However, in NCIS Season 18 Episode 9 titled Winter Chill, Tobias called his close mate Gibbs to inform him that Emily had relapsed and was admitted to the hospital. After receiving the call, Gibbs rushed to the hospital as Tobias panicked. Gibbs calmed him down and asked him to sit.

Tobias revealed that Emily didn't show up for dinner, didn't respond to his texts or calls, and then when he reached home, he saw her in her room with a bottle of pills on her nightstand. He recalled she was barely breathing, and her skin was cold. He broke down, saying,

"What do we do Gibbs? What do we do?"

Tobias and Gibbs sat right in front of the trauma centre, hoping for some good news. Tobias then said that Emily might have overdosed on Sylvia Carruthers, a drug that she stole from her grandmother's cabinet. Gibbs consoled him throughout as Tobias revealed that she felt Diane, Emily's mother, in the room.

When the doctor stood silent in the hallway, Tobias realized her daughter was no more. He broke down completely. When the team learnt about the heartbreaking news, they were shocked. Gibbs tightly hugged Tobias, who broke down like a kid. The episode ends with Bishop's voice in the background as Gibbs hands over a cup to a grieving Tobias.

"Love doesn't die. People do. So when all that's left with me is love. Give me away."

Even though her death was offscreen, it left Gibbs and the team mourning. Tobias, who showed little emotion on the show, broke down for his daughter. Gibbs stood like a rock beside them through his grief, and that's what true friends do.

Emily Fornell's place in NCIS stands out because she wasn't built like most recurring characters. She didn't arrive with a badge or a dramatic entrance. She quietly entered the story, appearing at key moments in her father's life. Even with limited screen time, she added heart, tension, and vulnerability to a world driven by protocol.

Juliette Angelo on Emily Fornell leaving NCIS

Turns out even Julitelle Angelo, who played Emily, wasn't informed about her sudden exit. She shared how she was informed via text. She thanked the viewers on the Instagram story and reflected on growing up on the set. After leaving NCIS, Angelo stepped away from acting.

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