The Reason Giacomo Gianniotti Left Grey's Anatomy

According to Krista Vernoff in a Variety interview following DeLuca's surprise mid-season death, Vernoff planned DeLuca's storyline as a fitting end to his character's struggles with mental health. "I think that he went out fighting for what he believed in. And he was through his mental health crisis," she explained. "He'd become a very productive member of the hospital staff. And he wasn't going to let this woman walk away again."

Vernoff also revealed that she invented this dramatic turn of events during — what else? — a walk along the beach. "Sometimes stories tell themselves to you, and your heart just breaks," she said. 

Additionally, as if to put any further speculation about on-set drama to rest, Giacomo Gianniotti — the actor behind DeLuca — gave his character a cheery farewell on Instagram. "Well thats a wrap," he wrote. "10 days of beautiful, fast paced, red eyed glory. Wouldn't change it for the world." Next, the actor will star in the Italian film "Diabolik chi sei?"