By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-10-01 20:30:07 | Updated at 2024-10-08 11:56:07
6 days ago
American Pickers star Frank Fritz is revealed to have died from the effects of the debilitating stroke he suffered in July 2022.
Ahead of his passing, the reality star was previously diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, which TMZ reported 'may have [also] played a role' in his death at age 60 on Monday.
Crohn's disease is a long-term inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
According to Mayo Clinic, Crohn's disease 'can lead to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss and malnutrition' as well as other complications like kidney stones.
Fritz's representative confirmed his cause of death to the outlet.
American Pickers star Frank Fritz is revealed to have died from the effects of the debilitating stroke he suffered in July 2022 that reportedly left him wheelchair-bound (seen in 2015)
This comes after one of Fritz's longtime friends, Annette Oberlander, revealed Fritz died at a hospice facility in Davenport, Iowa, to The Associated Press.
On Tuesday, Oberlander told AP that 'Fritz never fully recovered' from his stroke and 'had been receiving in-patient care since' it happened.
Fritz's American Pickers costars Mike Wolfe and Danielle Colby were among the first stars to pay tribute to Fritz on social media following his passing.
Wolfe, who appeared alongside Fritz on hundreds of episodes on their History Channel series, reacted to the devastating news in a post shared with his more than 522,000 followers.
'It’s with a broken heart that I share with all of you that Frank passed away last night,' he wrote on Instagram, alongside a sweet snap of them together.
Wolfe, 60, continued: 'I’ve know Frank for more then half my life and what you’ve seen on TV has always been what I have seen, a dreamer who was just as sensitive as he was funny. The same off camera as he was on, Frank had a way of reaching the hearts of so many by just being himself.'
The actor went on to reflect on their years filming American Pickers, which followed them traveling across the United States in search of rare Americana artifacts and treasures.
'Who would have ever dreamed we would share the cockpit of a white cargo van in front of millions of people interested in our adventures,' he wondered.
On Tuesday, Fritz's costar Mike Wolfe reacted to the devastating news of his death in a heartfelt post shared with his more than 522,000 Instagram followers
Before season one of their program aired back in 2010, Wolfe said they 'would take off together to places' they 'never knew existed with no destination in mind and just the shared passion to discover something interesting and historic.'
'We’ve been on countless trips and shared so many miles and I feel blessed that I was there by his side when he took one last journey home. I love you buddy and will miss you so much I know your in a better place,' he concluded.
His comment section was flooded with fans extending their condolences.
'Sorry for your loss Mike, it is a loss for all, we share the sadness and the memories,' one wrote.
Others thanked Wolfe for remaining by his side until the very end.
Danielle Colby also shared a sweet slideshow of photos of herself posing with Fritz as she reflected on his 'ability to make everyone laugh'
Colby also shared a sweet slideshow of photos of herself posing with Fritz.
'Frank, I will miss your ability to make everyone laugh, your love for talking tattoos, your epic collections but what I will miss the most are those little glimpses of vulnerability from time to time,' she began.
The reality star added: 'Frank, you loved your cat and your momma and we bonded on those things. You will be missed for all of these reasons and so many more.'
She signed off the post by writing: 'Rest in Peace Road Dog.'
Robbie Wolfe, who replaced Fritz on American Pickers, also honored the late star's memory with a social media tribute.
He wrote: 'It's with a heavy heart I’m sad to say my friend Frank Fritz has passed away last night.
'You all knew him from TV. But I knew him from traveling, fishing and family. He was the godfather to my twin girls. His smile was contagious and his laughter will be missed.
'Most of all just time sitting in a fishing boat talking about life. I know you’re in a better place... Love you buddy hope you catch the big one until we see each other in heaven hold the boat steady.'
'You will be missed for all of these reasons and so many more,' she captioned the post
Fritz's family and friends confirmed his passing on Tuesday.
'This is a very tough announcement to make Frank passed away last night around 7:30 he was surrounded by myself, Mike Wolfe made a high speed to get back here from Nashville and other friends,' read a post on Fritz' Facebook account on Tuesday.
'Please understand this is a very rough time for us. Including Mike so be kind as we are trying to figure out how to cope with this. Thank you all for your love and support through the years.
Rumors about Fritz' death circulated on social media earlier this year, with Wolfe denying the claims.
Robbie Wolfe, who replaced Fritz on American Pickers, also honored the late star's memory with a social media tribute
A friend of Fritz' told The U.S. Sun that he had been left in a wheelchair following the 2022 stroke.
A conservatorship request was filed for Fritz weeks after the stroke, with court documents claiming 'Mr. Fritz’s decision-making capacity is so impaired that he is unable to care for his own safety or to provide for necessities such as food, shelter, clothing, or medical care without which physical injury or illness may occur.'
MidWestOne Bank was appointed Fritz' conservator and his friend Chris Davis as his guardian.
American Pickers debuted on History Channel in 2010, following Fritz, Wolfe, and Colby-Cushman, who ran an antique store in Iowa.
Fritz and Wolfe traveled the country in search of all sorts of collectibles from collectors of all kind.
Fritz's family and friends confirmed his passing on Tuesday over Facebook
It was revealed in June 2021 that Fritz was leaving the show, as a culmination of many health problems, including a back surgery and suffering from Crohn's Disease.
At the time, Wolfe released a statement saying Fritz, 'is like a brother to me,' adding he would, 'pray for the very best and all good things for him on the next part of his journey.'
Fritz, however, painted a much different picture in an interview with The Sun.
'Mike’s statement was bulls***, somebody wrote it out for him. We never were friends in grade school. I don’t believe in ten years he’s said five nice things to me, you know? Unless he was cutting somebody else down and we were both laughing,' Fritz said.
American Pickers debuted on History Channel in 2010, following Fritz, Wolfe, and Colby-Cushman, who ran an antique store in Iowa; seen in 2015
The former co-stars were estranged for years, with Fritz claiming Wolfe did not check up on him after he left the show.
However, the two reconciled last year.
