Our heads are still spinning from the report that Kelly Monaco is being killed off General Hospital, where she’s played Sam McCall for more than 20 years. But even in our dizzified state, we’re also thinking, “If the show is really going to go there, how?”

As it is, the daytime drama just put us and the Davis women through the wringer with the passing of Molly/Kristina’s daughter. What on earth could bring about Sam’s unhappy ending, especially as committed as she is to steering clear of ex-husband Jason’s life of crime and the dangers associated with it. Our best guesses…

Sam Gets Caught in the Crossfire

As hell-bent as Kristina is on getting revenge for poor Adela’s demise, she could go gunning for Ava, aka the woman she blames for the tragedy. Sam, like the good sister that she is, could attempt to intervene, lest Kristina do something she regrets. Boom goes the gun, and instead of killing Ava, Kristina accidentally fatally shoots Sam.

A ‘Lesley Webber’ Could Befall Sam

Accidents happen. Remember back when Denise Alexander left General Hospital, and Lesley was killed in a car crash. Something as random as that could end up being what takes out Sam. It would be painful as hell but also a sobering reminder of how short and unpredictable life is.

Sam Could Die Saving Dante

As it is, Lulu is going to have her work cut out for her if she awakens from her coma hoping to reunite with Dante. He’s all in with Sam. But a “Lante” redo might be even harder to attain if Sam were to die protecting Dante while he’s on assignment. Even if in the aftermath he was drawn again to Lulu, he’d feel so guilty about the way that Sam went out, he’d do backflips to avoid giving in to those feelings and betraying his lost love’s memory.

Sam Becomes a Victim of Mob Violence

Although Sam has distanced herself as best she can from Jason’s criminal activities, she’d have no choice but to launch into action if she feared that their son Danny was putting himself in harm’s way. Of course that would put Sam herself directly in the line of fire. Perhaps her death would finally be the thing to convince Jason to give up his career as Sonny’s right-hand man?

A Long-Long-Lost Love Could Steal Sam Away

Our favorite idea, because it allows for a possible return, is that Sam is “killed” by Port Charles vampire Caleb Morley, who wants to transform Livvie Locke’s lookalike into a replica of his old flame. While Dante and all of Sam’s loved ones mourn, she’s actually off enjoying her afterlife with the blood-sucker who’s determined to make her a fang. Er, fan.