"Wicked Tuna" star William Joseph "Willbilly" Hathaway, 36, died Saturday after the truck he was driving was involved in a wreck in Salisbury, Maryland. He died on July 19, 2018, just a few weeks before his 29th birthday. You know that dealing with bluefin tuna is a tough job on Wicked Tuna but the crew of the Pinwheel was quite busy for this catch. A natural sports enthusiasts, Fudge's obituary said he developed his passion for fishing and the outdoors at a young age. The largest tuna ever recorded was an Atlantic bluefin caught off Nova Scotia that weighed 1,496 pounds. For this charge, he was sentenced to probation for two years and had his license suspended. . Out of respect for Duffys family, we ask for privacy at this time as we continue to process this tragic event. It also states that he resisted arrest and had an open container of alcohol with him in the vehicle, which crossed a solid line. Born in August of 1989 in Topsfield, Massachusetts, Nicholas Duffy Fudge always had a passion for fishing. Home | About | Contact | Copyright | Report Content | Privacy | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap. Decompression sickness is also referred to as the bends. It is caused by inadequate decompression after being exposed to a high-pressure environment such as the deep ocean. 2023 Cable News Network. No cause of death was announced. He was a student of Portsmouth High School. The 28-year-old Fudge had no wife and kids when he passed away in 2018. A cause of death was not released. Wicked Tuna premiered on the Nat Geo channel in 2012. Duffy was the first mate on Captain Tyler McLaughlins fishing vessel, Pinwheel. Fudge died unexpectedly on Thursday, July 19, 2018, according to his obituary. Since Duffy was Captain Tyler McLaughlins best friend and first mate, it seemed right that he would be the one to pick Duffys replacement. . According to Sampo Swivels: "Once the Tuna Fish develops high levels of hypoxia, it will change its. TimesMojo is a social question-and-answer website where you can get all the answers to your questions. They said the show is mostly scripted and they even leave some fish out of the show so certain boats win or be close.. Get the latest updates on new products and upcoming sales You are already subscribed to our newsletter! New Details About The Death Of The 'Love Island' Star And Her Boyfriend. The series depictsfishermen on the hunt for bluefin tuna. Do Men Still Wear Button Holes At Weddings? Why Do Cross Country Runners Have Skinny Legs? 2. However, there were rumors that Fudge died of Decompression Sickness. Fudges family has asked that donations be made to a memorial fund, with proceeds benefiting environmental preservation. The biggest one ever captured, on record, was by Ken Fraser in Nova Scotia. As a child, Nick began tuna fishing with his father and grandfather," Fudge's obituary reads. There have been no reports confirming the reason for Duffy from Wicked Tuna 's death. "The underlying cause of symptoms throughout the body is due mainly to nitrogen bubbles being released when the diver returns to sea level and blocking blood flow and disrupting blood vessels and nerves by stretching or tearing them," EMedicindeHealth.com reads. Fudge's family is asking that donations be made to a memorial fund in his name. The fishermen set out to the sea on fishing vessels and compete in teams to see which team has the best catch at the end of a time frame. We join his family and friends in mourning his untimely loss.". . Hallie Burnett (@team_early_detection). We join his family and friends in mourning his untimely loss. . When a diver uses nitrogen or gas in their air tank, the pressure increases as the diver descends. ET. Nicholas Fudge's Death: How Did Duffy From Wicked Tuna Die? A Japanese sushi tycoon has paid a whopping $3.1m (2.5m) for a giant tuna making it the worlds most expensive. Although there is no definite proof that the fisherman died due to his substance abuse, it is clear that it was something he struggled with. Photo: @RealDuffyWilson Source: Twitter Are TJ and Marissa from Wicked Tuna dating? Rest in Peace. This is a question that reverberated worldwide after the news of Fudges demise was made public. pic.twitter.com/CW1RIHTHrY. Copyright 2023 PopCulture.com. National Geographic. He graduated from Portsmouth High School and excelled in sports, particularly fishing, hockey, lacrosse, skiing, snowboarding and surfing. Fudge was two weeks shy of his 29th birthday at the time of his death. Dig int. The fishing team that makes the most money during the course of the season is the winner. His untimely death was first announced by The Remick & Gendron Funeral Home on July 19 of that year,. Fudge was not the only death in the Wicked Tuna family before Sunday's premiere. It is common for fans to get to know the celebs as real people as they go along with them in their adventures. Duffy was a fan favorite, and anyone who was looking to fill his shoes had an impossible task ahead of them. Love ya Will Billy.. They believe that Duffys death was a consequence of decompression sickness. The rampant speculation plus several drug-related arrests seemed to prove to fans that this is true. Fudge died on July 19. The Pinwheel crew, Capt. Although one of its cast members suffered from addiction, the show glossed over the issue. Hallie Burnett (@team_early_detection) on Jul 22, 2018 at 11:57pm PDT, RELATED: How Did Amy Winehouse Die? While Paul Hebert of Wicked Tuna may not hold the record for the worlds largest tuna, he still comes pretty darn close. Police said Hathawayhad called his wife on a cellphone and stated he was OK but someone turned in front of him and he had to swerve into a ditch. Season 10 of Wicked Tuna is already underway on the National Geographic Channel. Be the first to get hottest news from our Editor-in-Chief, Check your email and confirm your subscription. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. The cause of his death was not made open to the public. Since nitrogen gas is not used by the body, unlike oxygen, it builds up. In the season 8 premiere, Tyler revealed that she could navigate, drive a boat, read radar and take care of the boat. However, local fisherman told the Union Leader's Kimberly Haas that he might have suffered from decompression sickness, a condition also known as "the bends.". Hathaway left behind a wife and infant daughter. Hathaway is not the only "Wicked Tuna" star to die young. Paul Hebert is best known for starring in the Nat Geo reality TV series Wicked Tuna since 2012. Nicholas Fudge a.k.a Duffy was the first mate on Captain Tyler McLaughlins fishing vessel, Pinwheel. So, what happened to Duffy on the Wicked Tuna? Duffy passed away on July 19, just before his 29th birthday. It starts collecting in the blood and tissues and cannot be exhaled out immediately even after resurfacing. Bluefin tuna is one of the most expensive fish and can average $40 a pound. The reality series follows Massachusetts-based fishermen as they hunt for bluefin tuna in the North Atlantic and compete with other crews for the lucrative bounty. According to EMedicineHealth.com, decompression sickness is commonly associated with diving. 2. He was 28 years old. We join his family and friends in mourning his untimely loss. @NatGeoChannel and @Pilgrim_Studios were saddened to learn that Wicked Tuna cast member Nicholas "Duffy" Fudge passed . Though New Hampshire police did not make his cause of death open to the public, a local fisherman told the New Hampshire Union Leader that he "may have been a victim of decompression sickness, also known as 'the bends. The Facebook group Ocean City, MD Fishing Community changed its profile photo to commemorate him:Rest in Paradise & Tight Lines. According to EMedicineHealth.com, decompression sickness is often associated with scuba diving. This is a usual occurrence for deep-sea divers. ET. Fudge appeared on both Wicked Tuna and the shows spin-off, Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks.. appreciated. The network said it and Pilgrim Studios, which produces the show, "were saddened to learn" of the Massachusetts native's death. If you have been watching Animal Planet's trendy reality TV show Dr. Jeff Rocky Mountain Vet, you definitely experienced Tasha's passionate animal care approach. When did he die? Well, according to Elliot Neese, one of the captains of the show, the shows drama is definitely not real, but pure entertainment. Some of the symptoms of the condition include fatigue, rashes, itching, pulmonary or lung decompression sickness, Neurological Decompression Sickness and swollen lymph glands. Decompression sickness is a disorder caused due to nitrogen getting infused with the blood and tissues because of high pressure leading to the formation of bubbles when the pressure starts to decrease. The moment was announced by the channel on Twitter. @NatGeoChannel and @Pilgrim_Studios were saddened to learn that Wicked Tuna cast member Nicholas Duffy Fudge passed away this week. . ", . The tragedy is something that reality shows repeatedly deal with, and it is impossible to plan for. Next, a core sample is taken from right underneath the fin all the way through the belly. At that time, National Geographic became interested in getting him to star in Wicked Tuna. On July 19th, 2018, the beloved fisherman passed away suddenly at the tender age of twenty-eight. Therefore, when one of them dies mysteriously, the loss is felt deeply. It sounds like despite their teams professional rivalries, these two are really in love. Travis wants to make the best out of his time on the Pin Wheel when he wakes up to find Tyler gone. The obituary also humorously said, "Nick now begins his next adventure to locate his missing cell phones, IDs, and credit cards." By Daniel S. Levine The case was still under investigation at the time of his death. Duffy Fudge had a net worth of $400,000 when he died in 2018. Nick also treasured the environment and he took seriously his responsibility to protect it. "@NatGeoChannel and @Pilgrim_Studios were saddened to learn that Wicked Tuna cast member Nicholas "Duffy" Fudge passed away this week. He started out in tuna fishing with his father and grandfather from his childhood. Pinwheel Tuna Fishing Charters is New England's premier sport fishing charter and is the most fun and exciting boat to fish on from Gloucester Ma. Fudge was first mate on Captain Tyler McLaughlin's boat. She also heard him state to concerned citizens that stopped at the scene that he was OK. After several successful seasons, Duffy passed away just before the filming for season 8 commenced. William Joseph "Willbilly" Hathaway, 36,died, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. A few months before the tragedy occurred, Fudge was placed under arrest for driving while drunk on March 28th, 2018. Reality TV shows are known to make fans fall in love with the stars. He also earned from his job as the first mate of the ship Pinwheel. He first began fishing with his father and grandfather. Wicked Tuna; View All; Info Seaside Graphics, Inc. 27 Railroad Ave Gloucester, MA 01930 United States of America Call us at 978-281-0960 Subscribe to our newsletter. On Wicked Tunas official Facebook page, followers let showrunners know they think theyre watching staged altercations. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. She is deeply devoted to her chocolate Labrador and an avid long distance runner. Official page for Wicked Tuna on National Geographic Channel in the U.S. "The underlying cause of symptoms throughout the body is due mainly to nitrogen bubbles being released when the diver returns to sea level and blocking blood flow and disrupting blood vessels and nerves by stretching or tearing them," the site reads. Although the cause of death was not officially released, several reports claim that Duffy died of decompression sickness. On Monday, the National Geographic Channel and Wicked Tuna producer Pilgrim Studios announced Fudge's death, sending his family and friends condolences. 0:00. Nick also treasured the environment and he took seriously his responsibility to protect it," the obituary said. 'Wicked Tuna' star dies of suspected opiate overdose A family from East Kingston, New Hampshire, is mourning the loss of their son -- a star on the TV show "Wicked Tuna" -- after he died. McLaughlin and Duffy Fudge were good friends and an unstoppable team on the "PinWheel." Tragically, the almost 29-year-old Fudge died in 2018 after suffering from "the bends" (also known as. Check your inbox to be the first to know the hottest news. - March 10, 2019 10:44 pm EDT. . We join his family and friends in mourning his untimely loss, the statement said. 9:43 PM EDT, Mon July 23, 2018. His family established the Nicholas "Duffy" Fudge Memorial Fund for environmental preservation in his memory. Fudge is survived by his parents, his brother Cody, his girlfriend, his paternal grandfather, his maternal grandparents and aunts, uncles and cousins. . Following his appearance on the show, Duffy became a beloved TV personality. Whats the most expensive fish caught on Wicked Tuna? National Geographic. The obituary notes Fudge's passion for the outdoors. He left behind his parents and his sister. ", 'Wicked Tuna' Star Nicholas 'Duffy' Fudge's Death: What to Know, USA Network Viewers Can't Believe 'Chrisley Knows Best' Is Still on TV After Scandal, Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes Should Remain On-Air Couple After ABC Exit, According to TV Host, Hoda Kotb Makes Brief 'Today Show' Appearance Amid Family Health Matter, New Details Surface About 'Teen Mom' Alum Ryan Edwards' Stalking Arrest, 'Home Town' Star Erin Napier Captures Husband Ben in Playful Break With Daughters, 'The Bachelor' Fans Slam New Season as Boring, QVC Hosts Call it Quits After Nearly 20 Years. ", As a memorial for Duffy, we will be having a moment of silence on our Twitter during tonights episode. Fudge appeared on both Wicked Tuna and the shows spin-off, Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks.. We join his family and friends in mourning his untimely loss. A Warner Bros. Out of respect for Duffy's family, we ask for privacy at this time as we continue to process this tragic event," his statement to Boston Globe on Monday said. appreciated.