The death of "Vanished" character Detective Kelton surprised Hollywood, but the creators of the series say it shouldn't have.

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Executive producer Josh Berman tells TV Guide that the slaying of a lead character just seven episodes into the first season drives home the series' premise "that no one is safe."

"On this show, anything can happen at any time," he said.

The move also coincided with a scheduled hiatus while Fox carries the baseball playoffs, adding to the dramatic effect.

Berman denied that the man who played Kelton, Gale Harold, was having difficulties with cast and crew and called him a consummate professional.