Wicked Tuna star Charlie Griffin dies along with his dog Leila in boating accident off the coast of North Carolina as fellow sailor is still missing
- The boat went missing on Sunday evening in the rough Oregon Inlet
- The next day Charlie's body and his dog were found dead with his friend missing
- There has been a search for the 2nd sailor but it was called off due to weather
- Griffin was on season two through season five of Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks
Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks star Captain Charlie Griffin has reportedly died in a boating accident on Monday.
The reality TV star with his dog Leila at the time of the wreck that claimed both their lives. The tragic incident took place near Pea Island in Dare County, North Carolina.
The announcement was made this week on Facebook.
'It is with the deepest sadness we report that Charlie Griffin and his beloved dog, Leila, have passed away in a boating accident today, March 4th,' the note said.
'Please keep family and friends in your thoughts and prayers. We will forever remember Griff!'
The US Coast Guard also posted a message regarding Charlie's death.
Wicked Tuna star Charlie Griffin has reportedly died in a boating accident on Monday. The reality TV star with his dog Leila at the time of the wreck that claimed both their lives near Pea Island in Dare County, North Carolina
Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks cast member with a white labrador
Fans left sad messages that they will miss the star and that their hearts are broken
Some followers said he was a 'sweetheart of a guy' as they mourned his 'fur baby'
'On the morning of 3/4/24, the US Coast Guard received a report of an overdue vessel traveling from Virginia to Wanchese, NC,' the statement began.
'The 35′ vessel was subsequently located off Pea Island and the body of Charles Griffin Jr (Charlie Griffin) of Wanchese, NC and his dog (deceased) were recovered onshore near the same.
'The vessel appears to have capsized somewhere near Oregon Inlet.'
Fierce currents and extreme weather conditions have made the Oregon inlet one of the most difficult waterways on the East Coast.
'Officers are still searching for a second occupant that was aboard the vessel,' it was added.
'North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is leading the ongoing investigation along with assistance from officers from US Fish and Wildlife, National Park Service, NC Marine Fisheries, Dare County Sheriff’s Office, and the US Coast Guard.'
It is not known who that other person was.
In an effort to locate the missing second sailor, the Coast Guard said they were searching the shorelines using ATVs and a cutter on the water.
The announcement was made this week on Facebook . 'It is with the deepest sadness we report that Charlie Griffin and his beloved dog, Leila, have passed away in a boating accident today, March 4th,' the note said
A poster from the reality TV show when it was named Wicked Tuna: North Vs. South
The name of the show was then changed to Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks
A helicopter that left from USCG Elizabeth City was conducting aerial searches.
But it started to rain and get foggy which caused the search to be called off.
The last communication with the boat was March 3 around 6:15 p.m. and the boat was near Nags Head at the time, a Coast Guard spokesperson told 13News Now.
Griffin was a native of Wilmington, North Carolina.
Griffin and the crew of his boat starred in episodes two through five of Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks.
Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks used to be named Wicked Tuna: North vs. South.
It is a reality television series about commercial tuna fishermen based in the Outer Banks of North Carolina on the east coat of the US.
The men are fishing for Atlantic bluefin tuna which can be very expensive.
The teams of fishermen go head to head to see who can catch the most fish, much like the fishermen in George Clooney's movie The Perfect Storm.
Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks also touched on the dwindling supply of the bluefin tuna.
The captains are given size limits to ensure the tuna will no go extinct.
Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks is a spin-off of National Geographic's popular series Wicked Tuna which kicked off in 2014.
The first series was set in Gloucester, Massachusetts.
The cast includes Dave Marciano, first mate Jay Muenzner, and Tyler McLaughlin as well as Paul Hebert.
