'Wicked Tuna' star Charlie Griffin found dead with dog in North Carolina's Outer Banks-InfoExpress
After days of searching in the ocean for a missing boat, authorities confirmed that a person and a dog were found dead off the coast of North Carolina.
The victims, found near the Oregon Inlet, were confirmed to be well-known star of the reality-TV series "Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks" Charlie Griffin and his dog Leila by friends and family.
"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 Facebook post read. "Please keep family and friends in your thoughts and prayers. We will forever remember Griff!"
During the search, the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that they found the body of a person and a dog close to the Oregon Inlet.
"[The U.S. Coast Guard] conducting search for overdue boaters between Nags Head and Rodanthe, North Carolina," The U.S, Coast Guard Mid-Atlantic wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. "During search efforts 1 person and dog found deceased approx. 2 miles south of Oregon Inlet. Search continues for missing person."
In an updated post on March 5, the organization said it resumed its search efforts for the missing person with the help of the National Park Service, but the search was suspended the following day.
'Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks' a reality TV show for boating and tuna lovers
Beginning in 2014, "Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks" went on various voyages with captains as they sailed to capture tuna along the Outer Banks in North Carolina.
During the competition, captains would try to catch as much tuna fish as they could in order to win a cash prize. One tuna could be worth more than $20,000. Weather conditions, treacherous waters and intense rivalries all unfolded in the 60 minute episodes that followed the journeys through the "graveyard of the Atlantic," according to the National Geographic.
On the show Griffin and his son Jake teamed up to catch fish. Together both of them worked to win money in order to support their family. The partnership led to the naming of their vessel, "Reels of Fortune," according to a YouTube post on the National Geographic page.
Social media reacts to Capt. Griffin's death
In a touching post, Dare County Commissioner Steve House pays tribute to Capt. Griffin.
"A very sad day for our fishing community. Capt. Charlie Griffin has passed away from a boating accident at Oregon Inlet. His humor and knowledge will be sadly missed. He helped make the OBX even more famous with his time on Wicked Tuna OBX," House wrote in a Facebook post. "Tight lines and fair seas my friend."
Griffin is remembered a fun, and sweet guy who's life was cut short.
"Super sad news, a sweet heart of a guy and one heck of a fisherman Charlie Griffin has been taken from us way too soon," the Facebook page Corolla Beach Idiots wrote in their post. "Some of you may know him from OBX Wicked Tuna, some of us new him as a giving good guy.. He will be missed by all who knew him.. Prayers to his Family especially his son Jake.. RIP my friend!!"
After hearing of Griffin's death, fans are all posting a simple message, "Rest In Peace."