It's no secret that Jorja Fox, who plays Sara Sidle on CSI, is leaving the show this season. She has a contentious history with the show and was even temporarily fired during contract negotiations in 2004. But, why is she leaving?

Fox gave a quick interview to EW.com, explaining her departure. She's leaving to broaden her horizons. The actress has been on CSI for seven years and is looking for something else to do. She says, "If I thought the show was on its last legs, I would've tried harder to stay the course. But I feel like it's going to be around for a while, so I don't want some of those dreams to pass me by."

The day finally arrived: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation fans finally know if Sara Sidle, played by Jorja Fox, survived or not. Last year's finale had the CSI team not only continue their search for the "Miniature Killer" but also for Sara, who became the killer's last victim. There was a lot of speculation over the summer surrounding Sara's fate especially since the show was doing its best to keep it a secret (fans were told they would at least see Sara under the car in the premiere but didn't say more).

Back in April, we learn that CSI was planning to kill off a main character and in the following weeks, Sara's name started to pop. Jorja Fox was not a happy camper, even refusing to show up for work at one point. This summer, the show hired an actress to play a new lab tech, which had fans think that it was done for Sara and that the new character was her replacement.

So, is Sara dead or alive? The answer after the jump!

According to this writer for the Chicago Tribune, there is a "ferocious debate" going on over the season finale of CSI where Sara Sidle and Gil Grissom were in a bedroom together. (More like ferocious vomiting!) Apparently, fans worry the show will switch its focus to the characters' personal lives.

Anywho, the article includes an interview with CBS president Nina Tassler, who says that fans have embraced the connection between Sara and Grissom and that their relationship will be explored more in the next season. I still think they should've killed off Nick Stokes.

[Via TV Tattle]