A CAPTAIN who starred in the National Geographic show Wicked Tuna has died in a boating accident.
Charlie Griffin went missing on Sunday night while boating with a friend in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
On Sunday night at 11 pm, the Coast Guard heard a report that two boaters who left Virginia Beach were overdue to arrive at Wanchese, North Carolina, where their vessel needed repairs.
They hadn't been heard from since 6:15 pm that evening, a Coast Guard spokesperson told The Virginian-Pilot.
On Monday, the Coast Guard and local first responders located the idle boat and went inside to find the bodies of Griffin and his dog.
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The second person on the trip was still missing as of Monday evening, but officials are still searching for them.
Griffin's death was confirmed in a heartwrenching post shared on his Facebook page Reels of Fortune.
A picture of a sun-kissed Griffin smiling was posted with the caption, "It is with the deepest sadness we report that Charlie Griffin and his beloved dog, Leila, have passed away in a boating accident today.
"Please keep family and friends in your thoughts and prayers."
Griffin, who lived and worked in North Carolina, joined the Wicked Tuna cast for Season 2 and stayed until Season 5.
The ongoing National Geographic program is a reality TV show that follows seasoned fisherman who make their living by reeling massive fish that can be worth tens of thousands of dollars.
The fisherman who performs the best throughout the season is dubbed the winner by the end, which means a lifetime of bragging rights.
Griffin won at the end of Season 4.
Fans of the star poured out condolences on social media and voiced their heartbreak at the devastating news.
"One of my all-time favorite guys," one fan wrote.
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"Rest easy Griff."
"This is extremely sad for all fans of the show," another person commented.
"He will forever be one of my favorites."
A different fan said they met Charlie and Leila last summer during a boat ride and shared a now-heartwrenching picture of the two of them.
"Charlie was very knowledgable and friendly, a great captain," the fan said.
"Leila was such a good dog. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family."
NC Watermen United, a non-profit that advocates for commercial fishermen, also remembered Griffin as someone who is "well loved and will be missed by many."
"We are forever grateful for the impact he made on our lives," the organization wrote in a statement.
