What Shonda Rhimes says about McDreamy's death

As fans continue to mourn the death of beloved Grey's Anatomy doc Derek Shepherd and the exit of hunky Patrick Dempsey, show creator Shonda Rhimes has issued a statement about writing him off the show.

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She says:

He was important.

"Derek Shepherd is and will always be an incredibly important character — for Meredith, for me and for the fans."

It's hard for her to see him go.

"I absolutely never imagined saying goodbye to our ‘McDreamy.’"

She praised the actor.

"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."

The show will go on.

"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."