Janet Tamaro, of TNT’s Rizzoli & Isles, exclusively announced to Variety that she will be leaving the series after the fourth season ends early next year. Tamaro is a producer, writer and showrunner for the television drama, and she created the series for the network in 2010 from characters in novels by Tess Gerritsen. She is rumored, however, to be staying on as a consulting producer for the series’ fifth season.

Tamaro told Variety, “I did four seasons that I’m incredibly proud of, and the show is in great shape.”

Many viewers thought Tamaro’s departure may be the result of the untimely suicide of show favorite, Lee Thompson Young, who died last month; Tamaro admitted that her friend and coworker’s death was a sort of “catalyst” for her decision, as it made her reexamine her career and the endless possibilities she still has available. It was not, however, the ultimate reason for her leaving; in the Variety interview Tamaro also said:

“It’s been phenomenal, but I’m at the top of my game creatively and really want to use the juice I have to produce other projects…I do so love writing female characters, and I want to do more!”

The writer recently Tweeted about her decision:

Thanks, you guys. I gotta stretch my writing muscles. Busy brain and all that. Very, very exciting. Loved all of you + your passion for R&I

— janet tamaro (@JanetTamaro) September 14, 2013

Tamaro is also reportedly in talks with Rizzoli & Isles producers to create more shows for TNT, as well as having signed on to a deal with New Regency for a suspenseful thriller.

A replacement for Tamaro on Rizzoli & Isles has not yet been named.

Image courtesy @RizzoliIslesTNT via Twitter.