“Please, Not Them Too.” — The One Chicago Goodbyes That Still Hurt, and the New Exit Rumors Sending Fans Into Panic
The One Chicago universe — Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med — has given fans countless moments of courage, heartbreak, and resilience. But it’s the goodbyes that linger the longest. Over the years, each show has torn away characters we’ve loved like family, reminding us that in this world of danger and devotion, no one is truly safe.
And just as fans begin to heal from old wounds, new rumors of upcoming exits are sending shockwaves across the fandom once again.
Here’s a look back at the most unforgettable departures — and the whispers now reigniting those familiar fears.
1. Leslie Shay (Chicago Fire) — The Death That Started It All
No Chicago Fire loss has ever hit harder than Leslie Shay’s. Her shocking death in the Season 2 premiere didn’t just devastate Firehouse 51 — it changed the tone of the entire franchise. Bright, brave, and fiercely loyal, Shay was family to everyone. Years later, the pain of losing her still defines the show’s emotional core.
2. Dr. Connor Rhodes (Chicago Med) — The Exit That Nobody Saw Coming
Connor Rhodes was more than a surgeon — he was Chicago Med’s heart. His departure after Ava’s tragic death in Season 5 felt like losing a piece of the hospital’s soul. Cool under pressure yet bursting with compassion, Connor’s goodbye was quiet but unforgettable, leaving fans wishing for the miracle he couldn’t save.
3. Detective Erin Lindsay (Chicago P.D.) — The Goodbye That Broke Voight
When Sophia Bush left the show, Chicago P.D. lost its conscience. Erin Lindsay’s exit to take a new job in New York was bittersweet, but for Hank Voight, it was personal. Their father-daughter bond anchored the series for years, and her absence remains one of the show’s most emotional scars.
4. Matthew Casey (Chicago Fire) — The Captain Who Carried 51
Jesse Spencer’s farewell after nearly a decade as Captain Casey was nothing short of heartbreaking. Leaving to care for his late friend’s children, Casey walked out of 51 as the ultimate hero. His quiet exit left a void no one has been able to fill — though his surprise return for Brett’s wedding reminded fans why he’ll always be the heart of the firehouse.
5. Dr. Natalie Manning (Chicago Med) — A Goodbye of Grace
After seasons of heartbreak and moral struggle, Natalie Manning’s exit in Season 7 was beautifully tragic. Confessing to stealing medication to save her mother, she left with dignity and heartbreak intertwined. Her farewell with Dr. Halstead closed one of the most emotionally layered relationships in the One Chicago universe.
6. Detective Jay Halstead (Chicago P.D.) — The Goodbye That Shattered Hailey Upton
When Jesse Lee Soffer stepped away, the entire P.D. fanbase mourned. Jay’s moral compass and unshakable loyalty were irreplaceable. His final words to Hailey — “I need to find myself” — broke viewers’ hearts, leaving both the character and his wife adrift.
7. Gabriela Dawson (Chicago Fire) — The Flame That Still Burns
Gabby Dawson’s departure to pursue humanitarian work in Puerto Rico was noble yet devastating. Her chemistry with Casey defined the early years of Chicago Fire, and even after she left, her shadow lingered. Every mention of her name reignites that familiar ache.
8. Dr. Ethan Choi (Chicago Med) — The Soldier Who Found Peace
After enduring trauma and heartbreak, Ethan Choi finally got his peace. His exit, opening a clinic for veterans with April Sexton, was poignant and hopeful — a rare One Chicago goodbye that healed instead of hurt.
9. Officer Antonio Dawson (Chicago P.D.) — The Hero Who Fell
Antonio Dawson’s downward spiral into addiction remains one of P.D.’s most painful arcs. A man who gave everything to the job, Antonio’s exit was a tragedy of realism — not death, but defeat. His story serves as a haunting reminder of how heavy the badge can be.
10. Sylvie Brett (Chicago Fire) — The Farewell That Melted Hearts
Kara Killmer’s departure marked the end of an era. Her wedding to Casey gave fans the closure they’d hoped for, even as they sobbed through her final drive away from Firehouse 51. Brett’s warmth and optimism defined the show’s emotional balance — and her absence is already being felt.
11. Detective Alvin Olinsky (Chicago P.D.) — The Death That Still Haunts
Framed, betrayed, and brutally killed in prison, Alvin Olinsky’s death remains P.D.’s most gut-wrenching moment. His death broke Voight, shattering the show’s central brotherhood. Years later, fans still call it the franchise’s cruelest twist of fate.
12. Otis Zvonecek (Chicago Fire) — The Day the Firehouse Went Silent
Otis’s death in the Season 8 premiere was pure heartbreak. His final words to Cruz — “Brother, I will always be with you” — brought even the toughest viewers to tears. Firehouse 51 hasn’t been the same since.
The New Exit Rumors Sending Fans Into a Frenzy
As fans mourn the past, they’re also bracing for what might come next. Online speculation has exploded with whispers that more key players could be leaving One Chicago soon — including Miranda Rae Mayo (Stella Kidd), following that ominous Chicago Fire teaser, and Tracy Spiridakos (Hailey Upton), who’s long been rumored to be wrapping up her storyline on P.D.
Neither NBC nor the actors have confirmed anything, but the timing — combined with cryptic social media silence — has fans panicking. One Reddit post summed up the mood perfectly: “If we lose Stella AND Hailey in the same season, it’s over for me.”
Why the Goodbyes Hurt So Much
Part of what makes One Chicago special is its heart. These shows aren’t just about heroism — they’re about family, sacrifice, and connection. Every goodbye, whether in flames, tears, or quiet resolve, hits harder because these characters feel real.
Their stories remind us why we keep watching, even when it hurts.