Charlie Griffin, a familiar face from the National Geographic series Wicked Tuna, tragically lost his life in a boating accident in North Carolina’s Outer Banks.
Griffin, who had been boating with a friend on Sunday evening, was reported missing late that night. The Coast Guard shared that two individuals from Virginia Beach were delayed in reaching Wanchese, North Carolina, where their boat needed repairs at 11 p.m.
The Coast Guard further stated that the pair hadn’t been heard from since 6:15 p.m. that same evening. On Monday, local emergency crews, along with Coast Guard members, discovered the abandoned boat. Inside, they found Griffin and his dog, Leila, both deceased.
As of Monday night, search efforts were still underway to locate Griffin’s companion who was also part of the trip.
A heartfelt post on Griffin’s Facebook page, Reels of Fortune, confirmed the devastating news of his death. Accompanied by a photo of Griffin smiling in the sun, the post read: “It is with the deepest sadness that we report that Charlie Griffin and his beloved dog, Leila, have died in a boating accident today. Please keep family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.”
Griffin had been a key figure on Wicked Tuna starting in Season 2, working as an actor and fisherman until Season 5. The show, which highlights skilled fishermen catching high-value fish, continues to capture the challenges of those who make their living on the water.
