19 "Criminal Minds" Scenes That Are Absolutely Heartbreaking From Start To Finish

Don't mind me, I'm just bawling my eyes out over here!

We asked the BuzzFeed Community to tell us which scenes from Criminal Minds never fail to make them cry. Here's what they said:

🚨Warning: There are MASSIVE spoilers ahead. Some entries also contain sexual assault, addiction, and suicide. 🚨

1. When Hotch's ex-wife Haley was killed just as the FBI was on their way to save her, and the entire team listened to it happen over the phone.

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"I still remember being devastated the first time I saw it. I was convinced they would find a way to save Haley." —meld84

Where to find the episode: Season 5, Episode 9, "100"

Here's the full scene:

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2. When Reid got abducted, tortured, and injected with dilaudid, which he then became addicted to in later episodes.

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"I cry every. Single. Time." —izzydracula666

Where to find the episode: Season 2, Episode 15, "Revelations"

Here's the full scene:

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3. When JJ and Spencer were being held hostage at gunpoint and she admitted that she "always loved" him.

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Suggested by: laurend45cad4394

Where to find the episode: Season 14, Episode 15, "Truth or Dare"

Here's the full scene:

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4. When Morgan finally confronted his childhood abuser, Carl Buford, after finding out Carl was still assaulting kids.

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Suggested by: blairb4973474d5

Where to find the episode: Season 2, Episode 12, "Profiler, Profiled"

Here's the full scene:

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5. When JJ finally learned that before her sister Roslyn died by suicide, she was sexually assaulted by her teacher. She also realized that the necklace Roslyn gave her was actually meant to protect her against Roslyn's abuser.

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"Before she committed suicide, Roslyn gave JJ the necklace that the unsub gave her, so that he would never target JJ when he saw her wearing it. JJ's reaction to finally learning about everything that led to her sister’s suicide was so sad. That episode really got to me." —carolinelee7185

Where to find the episode: Season 14, Episode 5, "The Tall Man"

Here's the full scene:

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6. When Spencer finally met the love of his life in person, only to watch her get killed in front of him.

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"I've seen that episode multiple times and I still tear up. Spencer deserved all the love in the world and I wish we could've seen him with Maeve." —honeyeyedolive

Where to find the episode: Season 8, Episode 12, "Zugzwang"

Here's the full scene:

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7. When Alvez's friend was killed by one of their past suspects and he couldn't do anything to save him.

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"Alvez is usually so calm and lighthearted, so it was hard to see him not being able to save his friend." —kateyh4f01acb9c

Where to find the episode: Season 14, Episode 6, "Luke"

Here's the full scene:

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8. When Kristy stopped Matt from killing the man who held her hostage and they finally reunited after he thought she was dead.

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Suggested by: Tessa Fahey

Where to find the episode: Season 13, Episode 19, "Ex Parte"

Here's the full scene:

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9. When the BAU found out that Gideon was murdered.

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"The end was satisfying because they killed the unsub, but it was still so sad because Gideon was so close to the BAU. He was an original part of the cast and the team." —nickig4c1fb6ca6

Where to find the episode: Season 10, Episode 13, "Nelson's Sparrow"

Here's the full scene:

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10. When Derek said goodbye to Reid and he revealed that he named his newborn son after Reid.

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"It really brings home Spencer's character development, because even though he will never be fully comfortable with change and what he perceives as abandonment, he handles this so much better than when Gideon left." —m4d4e02be6

Where to find the episode: Season 11, Episode 18, "A Beautiful Disaster"

Here's the full scene:

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11. When Garcia was shot by a man she went on a date with and was rushed to the hospital.

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Suggested by: Lauren Garafano

Where to find the episodes: Season 3, Episodes 4–5, "Lucky" and "Penelope"

Here's the full scene:

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12. When Reid thought he was going to die after being exposed to anthrax and he asked Garcia to record a message so he could say goodbye to his mother.

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"I bawl like a baby because Garcia is heartbroken that she can’t do anything to help. It shows how much Spencer loves his mom." —brittany8267

Where to find the episode: Season 4, Episode 24, "Amplification"

Here's the full scene:

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13. When Will felt guilty for letting hostages die, so he entered the building despite JJ pleading for him not to, then he got shot.

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Suggested by: juliaarce

Where to find the episode: Season 7, Episode 24, "Run"

Here's the full scene:

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14. When Emily confided in Rossi about the abortion she had as a teenager and she tells him she believes it's what caused her close friend's downward spiral and eventual death.

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"Paget Brewster is such an amazing actor. Her pain felt so raw and real in that moment." —daphnerunning

Where to find the episode: Season 4, Episode 17, "Demonology"

Here's the full scene:

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15. When Emily listened to Garcia's voicemail begging her to come home.

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"That one gets me every time." —stella93

Where to find the episode: Season 6, Episode 18, "Lauren"

Here's the full scene:

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16. When JJ and Hotch told the rest of the team that Emily died in surgery.

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"I sobbed so hard. Like. A. Baby." —carolinelee7185

Where to find the episode: Season 6, Episode 18, "Lauren"

Here's the full scene:

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17. When Tara's ex-husband finally admitted that she saved his life and that he'd always love her.

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Suggested by: Taylor Owens

Where to find the episode: Season 14, Episode 9 "Broken Wing"

Here's the full scene:

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18. When Garcia forgave and helped set free the man who killed her parents while drunk driving.

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Suggested by: mslm90

Where to find the episode: Season 13, Episode 20, "All You Can Eat"

Here's the full scene:

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19. And finally, when the BAU gang has their last dinner together before going their separate ways.

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"I sobbed for days."

—maddiec4dbdcafdc

Where to find the episode: Season 15, Episode 10, "And in the End"

Here's the full scene:

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Responses have been edited for length and clarity.