Charlie Griffin, a pilot for the National Geographic series Wicked Tuna, tragically lost his life in a boating accident in North Carolina’s Outer Banks. He went missing on Sunday night while out on the water with a friend, and the Coast Guard reported that the two Virginia Beach boaters were late returning to Wanchese, where their boat required repairs.

Authorities revealed that Griffin and his companion had not been seen or heard from since 6:15 p.m. on Sunday. On Monday, local first responders and Coast Guard personnel discovered their vacant vessel, and upon searching it, they found the bodies of Griffin and his beloved dog, Leila. As of Monday night, the search continued for the second individual who was supposed to be on the trip.

A heartbreaking post on Griffin’s Facebook page, Reels of Fortune, confirmed his passing, sharing a photo of him smiling in the sun with the caption, “It is with the deepest sadness that we report that Charlie Griffin and his beloved dog, Leila, have died in a boating accident today.” The post urged friends and family to keep them in their thoughts and prayers.

Griffin joined Wicked Tuna starting in Season 2 and continued to work on the show until Season 5. The series follows skilled anglers as they pursue large fish that can be worth tens of thousands of dollars, showcasing the challenges and triumphs of commercial fishing.