Since Brian Dietzen became a series regular on NCIS in 2012, at the beginning of Season 10, Dietzen’s character, medical examiner Jimmy Palmer, has become an increasingly prominent figure in the series, in which Dietzen is one of only two cast members, along with Sean Murray, who has appeared in each of the show’s 21 seasons. Palmer originally served as the assistant to the venerable Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard, played by David McCallum, before becoming the NCIS chief medical examiner in 2019, in Season 16, when Ducky left the position and assumed the newfound position of NCIS historian.

Dietzen and Palmer’s seniority on NCIS intensified in the Season 21 premiere episode, which ends with NCIS Special Agent Alden Parker receiving a call from a distressed Palmer, who informs Parker that Ducky died in his sleep. The ensuing episode opens with Palmer entering Ducky’s house and then Ducky’s bedroom, where Palmer solemnly watches over Ducky’s dead body.

Ducky’s death represents just the latest devastating personal loss for Palmer, who previously lost his wife, Breena Palmer, who died in Season 18. However, while the news of Ducky’s death was foreshadowed by the announcement of McCallum’s death on September 25, 2023, Breena’s death came as a total shock, especially since her death happened off-screen. Moreover, the circumstances of Breena’s death prevented Palmer from being able to be with her before she died.

NCIS Shocked Viewers with Jimmy Palmer's Wife's Death

Given that Jimmy Palmer’s wife, Breena, played by Michelle Pierce, only appeared in seven episodes of NCIS over the course of 13 seasons, Breena’s death didn’t have nearly the same emotional impact for viewers as did the previous deaths and departures of the show’s primary characters, like Ducky and Gibbs. For NCIS, Breena’s death enabled the show to be able to incorporate the suffering that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic without losing a core NCIS character. The show’s producers and writers also felt that the loss of Palmer’s wife would serve to drive his story going forward.

In the Season 18 episode "The First Day," it’s revealed that Breena died from COVID-related complications in December 2020. Due to COVID restrictions, Palmer wasn’t allowed to see Breena before she died and was only able to communicate with her through video calls prior to her death. While Palmer seemingly maintains his trademark cheerful attitude throughout most of the episode, Palmer breaks down in front of Gibbs, who can especially relate to Palmer’s feelings of loss.

Breena made her first appearance in the show’s seventh season, in which Breena is introduced as a mortician whom Palmer starts dating. In the eighth-season finale, Jimmy reveals that he and Breena are getting married. On February 3, 2015, Breena, whom Jimmy married in May 2012, gave birth to the couple’s first and only child, daughter Victoria, who is named after Ducky’s deceased mother.

Palmer's Wife Made a Dreamy Return

The increased responsibilities that Brian Dietzen and Jimmy Palmer have been given on NCIS is evidenced by the fact that Dietzen has co-written three episodes of NCIS over the past three seasons, beginning with the Season 19 episode “The Helpers,” in which Jimmy is reunited with his deceased wife, Breena, in the afterlife.

In this episode, Jimmy and forensic scientist Kasie are trapped in isolation after being exposed to a deadly toxin that threatens to kill them unless they receive an antidote. As Jimmy becomes gripped by the effects of the toxin, Jimmy’s mind transports him to an idyllic field, where Jimmy is seemingly reunited with Breena, whose appearance allows Jimmy and viewers to experience the emotional farewell between the couple that was previously denied by Breena’s COVID-related death.

By reuniting with Breena, even within a dreamlike setting, Jimmy is able to come to terms with Breena’s death. While Jimmy reminiscences with Breena about their time together, Breena encourages Jimmy to stop living in sadness and instead build a life without her. Following Breena’s advice, Jimmy removes his wedding band, which symbolizes the need for Jimmy to focus on the future instead of dwelling on the past.

The episode is also notable for the appearance of Jimmy’s daughter, Victoria, who is understandably terrified that the toxin will kill Jimmy and result in the absence of both of her parents. In a powerful scene, a weakened Jimmy tells Victoria that while he and Victoria and everyone else in the world will eventually die, death is entirely secondary in importance to how people live their lives.

Palmer Started Dating Another NCIS Character

In Season 20 of NCIS, Jimmy Palmer embarked on a romance with NCIS Special Agent Jessica Knight, played by Katrina Law. Over the past two seasons, their relationship has been complicated by Jessica’s career ambitions, for which Jessica aspires to become an NCIS boss. In the Season 21 finale, NCIS Director Leon Vance offers Knight her dream job as a training officer at Camp Pendleton.

While Knight tries to convince Jimmy that they can maintain a long-distance relationship, Jimmy tells Knight that it’s best for them to go their separate ways while encouraging Knight to take the job. After later being convinced by colleague and friend Kasie not to let go of Knight, a frazzled Jimmy attempts to call Knight, unaware that Knight is locked inside a sinking Navy ship.

While the Season 21 finale leaves Jimmy and Knight’s relationship in an open-ended state, the idea that Jimmy, who has experienced more loss than any other character within the NCIS franchise, will have to endure more pain in the form of a broken relationship with Knight seems cruel. No NCIS character is more deserving of happiness than Jimmy.