Overview of JJ and William LaMontagne Jr.
Jennifer Jareau, known as JJ on Criminal Minds, is a Supervisory Special Agent in the BAU. Her husband, William LaMontagne Jr., is introduced as a detective in the New Orleans Police Department. Their relationship develops across season 6, leading to marriage and the birth of their son, Henry. Viewers repeatedly ask what happened to JJ's husband, referencing both on-screen events and real-world production changes affecting the character's presence.
JJ's husband character introduction and role
Who William LaMontagne Jr. is
William LaMontagne Jr., often called Will, is a New Orleans Police Department detective when he first appears. He is portrayed as organized, protective, and methodical, with a strong sense of duty and emotional intelligence that meshes well with JJ's driven FBI profile. Their dynamic anchors a significant subplot in season 6, and their personal stakes raise the emotional cost of the team's casework.
- Occupation: Detective, New Orleans Police Department
- Family role: Husband to JJ, father to Henry
- Key traits: Calm, loyal, detail-oriented, supportive partner
How he fits the BAU's personal lives
The show uses JJ's marriage to explore how the team's investigations affect agents' relationships. Will represents the everyday partner who must live with the risks and absence that come with working in the BAU. The writers use his perspective to broaden the show's focus from profiling criminals to protecting the profilers' own families.
Timeline of what happened across the seasons
Across Criminal Minds' long run, JJ's husband appears primarily in season 6, with later appearances tied to major events. His presence fluctuates as the show balances case-of-the-week storytelling with serialized personal arcs. Below is a concise reference to key milestones.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| First appearance | Season 6, episode 'Supply and Demand' | Episode record |
| Marriage to JJ | Season 6 finale 'Supply & Demand' (on-screen wedding) | Episode record |
| Birth of son Henry | Season 7, episode 'Heathily Ever After' | Episode record |
| Character written off | Absence after season 7, limited returns in later seasons | Production news and episode credits |
| Later appearances | Season 15 return and select episodes in between | Episode guide and cast statements |
What happened in canonical storylines
Within the show's continuity, Will is present for major personal milestones yet remains off-screen for long stretches due to the demands of detective work and later family needs. His narrative function is to ground JJ's arc, illustrate the toll of the team's secrecy, and provide a stable home base for Henry. The writers periodically bring him back during high-stakes cases or emotional episodes, preserving his relevance without overusing the character.
Behind-the-scenes changes affecting presence
What happened to JJ's husband is partly shaped by production realities. The actor's availability influenced how frequently Will appears after season 7, leading to longer gaps between appearances. The show balances serialized family elements with an ensemble cast, so recurring characters often shift in and out of focus as story needs evolve.
Current status in the series
By the final season, JJ's husband is intermittently present, acknowledged as a supportive partner and father who remains central to JJ's motivations. Will is not a point-of-view character in most episodes, but his off-screen influence shapes JJ's decisions and the team's understanding of the personal costs of their work. His status is stable within the show's continuity, even when he is not physically on screen.
Why this storyline matters to long-term viewers
JJ's marriage and the presence of her husband add continuity across Criminal Minds' many seasons. The arc illustrates the enduring personal stakes for the team and confirms that the characters' lives extend beyond the cases. For audiences asking what happened to JJ's husband, the key takeaway is a narrative balance: present for foundational moments, off-screen for day-to-day storytelling, but consistently part of JJ's emotional world.