Beloved character will die on 'Grey's Anatomy' finale

The Grim Reaper is once again visiting "Grey's Anatomy." But unlike the last time death decended among the staff of Seattle Grace, creator Shonda Rhimes told TV Guide that just one character will be meeting his or her maker during the season finale. So relax -- a little. Sure, the body count won't be nearly as high as the tragic hospital shooting that killed off so many of the Mercy West doctors during season six. But Rhimes revealed it would be a much loved character going six feet under. "A lot of our writers were crying," Rhimes told TV Guide. "There's some really shocking, horrible moments." Rhimes also said that "it scares me how fans are going to react." Oh dear. With the original stars' contracts expiring after the current season and no word yet on renewals, it seems anyone from the cast could be walking out of Seattle Grace's doors for good. After all, with the residents -- Meredith, Cristina, Alex, Jackson and April -- all interviewing at other hospitals, there could be other ways of exiting without dying. The season finale of "Grey's Anatomy" airs on May 17 on ABC.