In April 2014, Lafon reported that she was suffering from panic attacks and shortness of breath and that her hair was falling out. On 24 June, she announced that, after 23 years, she was leaving "Familie", stating "I cannot take it anymore". The announcement of Lafon's departure from "Familie" caused shock, with the soap's head writer Hugo Van Laere stating that "Rita does not die and will not be replaced. There is only one which Rita can play, and that is Jacky."