Mischa Barton's Marissa is dead

Fox's "The O.C." closed its third season Thursday with a deadly twist. Marissa Cooper, played by Mischa Barton, was killed in a car crash. Barton's character was central to the show, which follows four wealthy Newport Beach teens through the emotional ups and downs of high-school life. Barton was already a familiar face when she began starring on "The O.C." in 2003. She worked as a model and appeared in several films, including "The Sixth Sense," and TV's "Once and Again." She is also a spokesmodel for Neutrogena and the Collection bebe clothing line. Rumors flew in recent months that she was ready to leave "The O.C." Earlier this week, Barton told "Access Hollywood," "My character has been through so, so much and there's really nothing more left for her to do." Barton, 20, has a film arriving in 2007, "Guilty Pleasures," and other projects in the works. Marissa's death came at the end of an otherwise upbeat episode. [ABC]