In early June, "Kevin Can Wait" fans learned the shocking news that leading lady Erinn Hayes had been let go from the CBS comedy, with Leah Remini taking her place opposite her former "King of Queens" co-star Kevin James.

Now comes another shocker: Hayes' character, Donna, will be killed off! CBS executives revealed that info at the Television Critics Association's summer press tour.

"The character will have passed away and we will be moving forward in time catching up at a later date," CBS exec Thom Sherman said.

Remini guest starred in May's Season 1 finale as an undercover cop and former partner of James' retired officer. She and James acted side by side for nine years on "King of Queens," also a CBS comedy.

Nine or 10 months will have passed when Season 2 premieres, giving James' character and their on-screen children time to grieve and move on.

When asked if the sitcom would make Donna's death funny, CBS Entertainment president Kelly Kahl said there were no plans to do that.

"I'm not sure we can make that hilarious," he said. It will be treated with dignity and respect and the show will move forward. It's something that will have taken place in the past. I don't want to address it until we see eventually what's on tape in the first episode."