In a shocking twist that left Grey’s Anatomy fans at a loss, Patrick Dempsey‘s infamous “Dr. McDreamy” character was killed off the long running series in a sudden car crash. 
 
 Show creator Shonda Rhimes was quick to tend to her heartbroken fans, releasing a statement on the matter: 
 
 “Derek Shepherd is and will always be an incredibly important character — for Meredith, for me and for the fans. I absolutely never imagined saying goodbye to our “McDreamy.” Patrick Dempsey‘s performance shaped Derek in a way that I know we both hope became a meaningful example — happy, sad, romantic, painful and always true — of what young women should demand from modern love. His loss will be felt by all. Now, Meredith and the entire Grey’s Anatomy family are about to enter uncharted territory as we head into this new chapter of her life. The possibilities for what may come are endless. As Ellis Grey would say: ‘the carousel never stops turning.’” 
 
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 Dempsey’s exit doesn’t come as a total shock, however, after months of speculation suggested that he hadn’t signed on passed season 11 for the series. 
 
 In 2014, Dempsey also discussed his Grey’s exit, telling the Portland Press Herald that he would be stepping away from the show “very soon.” 
 
 Dempsey’s costar Caterina Scorsone also dished on the shocking episode, calling it a sad moment for the cast but an “exciting” new beginning for the series’ core storyline. 
 
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 “It is a fundamental change,” she shared with the Hollywood Reporter. “I don’t know how it will be interpreted by the writers or audience, but I think it really grounds the show in that it’s about human resilience…It finally drives home the point that [Grey’s Anatomy] is not just about a love story; this is about human resilience.” 
 
 Will you survive without Dr. McDreamy? Let us know in the comments below! ||||| Grey’s Anatomy killed off Patrick Dempsey’s Derek Shepherd on Thursday night, and one fan launched a petition on Change.org in an effort to bring McDreamy back. “It’s like you’ve killed the President of Grey’s Anatomy!” petition creator Courtney Williams wrote. “YOU HAVE TO BRING DEREK BACK! NOW! IMMEDIATELY!” 
 
 Bad news for Williams and the 4,268 (and counting) who’ve signed the petition: He’s not coming back—but Dempsey, who spoke to EW about leaving the show, understands why the fans are upset. “I think any time an original cast member has left, there’s always a void that will never be filled,” he said. “Shepherd is a beloved character. People don’t want to lose him. He’s been in their lives for over 10 years. But it goes on, and it will evolve.” 
 
 The petition writer suggests showrunner Shonda Rhimes make the episode where he dies a “dreamt one” or “a hallucination.” “You do NOT get to toy with our lives and emotions like this Shonda, NO! That is NOT RIGHT! How do you sleep at night?!?!!” 
 
 Read the whole petition over at Change.org, and tune in to Grey’s Anatomy on Thursday at 8 p.m. on ABC to watch how the doctors of Grey Sloan Memorial grieve.
– As of this writing, there are more than 16,000 people who care so much about (spoiler alert!) last week's shock Grey's Anatomy death that they have decided to sign a petition entitled, "Bring Dr. Derek 'McDreamy' Shepard BACK!!!" Just a few of our favorite lines from the petition: From the organizer: "You have people out here donating blood and organs trying to save lives, wanting to become doctors and all from committing to this television show..just to let us down like this. You've destroyed us. COMPLETELY!" "By taking him away you are ruining the lives of all your Fans ... You don't get to play with our us and our feeling as if we were your unimportant dolls that you can you mess with whenever you feel like it." "If two plane crashes are possible in one show then at least add another absurd season where they'll all meet in some odd metaphysical way, are happy and Derek is fine - and Mark [Dr. McSteamy, killed off in a previous season] half-naked." "Derek and Meredith are what the show is all about... They are life goals and my dreams were crushed when he died!!" "Shonda you are extremely talented, successful and creative, please consider making this a dream. Derek has been through enough already. I'll accept an accident and long-term rehabilitation, but not DEATH!" "Show that some miracle happens and he wakes up during the post-mortem or something." "I not only have watched the show through its live airing, but also have re-watched every episode on Netflix more than 6 times each. ... Taking McDreamy from your loyal and loving fans is like shooting a puppy in front of a classroom of kindergardeners. ... I hope that you know that you have lost thousands of viewers through this cruel and inhumane stunt. ... Also, it is BS that the 'Meredith and Derek' song didn't play during his final moments." Sadly, all these people are likely to be disappointed; Patrick Dempsey tells Entertainment Weekly he has no plans to return to the show. Click to read what series creator Shonda Rhimes has to say on the matter.