Wicked Tuna TV star Charlie Griffin and ‘beloved’ dog found dead in boating accident

TV star Charlie Griffin has died in a boating accident alongside his “beloved” dog Leila.

The captain, who appeared on Wicked Tuna, which streams in Australia on 7plus, went missing on Sunday night in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

A report was heard by the coast guard at 11.35pm on Sunday (local time) that two boats were overdue to arrive back and had not been heard from since 6.15pm, a spokesperson for the coastguard told The Virginian-Pilot.

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The following day, a search team found the boat onshore on Pea Island, south of Virginia Island, where the boats departed.

The bodies of Griffin and his dog Leila were discovered on board.

As of March 5, the other captain on the second boat remained missing, local outlet 13News Now said.

Griffin’s death was later confirmed on his Facebook page.

“It is with the deepest sadness we report that Charlie Griffin and his beloved dog, Leila, have passed away in a boating accident today,” the statement said.

“Please keep family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.”

The North Carolina native joined the reality series Wicked Tuna for season 2, remaining until season 5.

It follows commercial tuna fishermen as they compete to get the best haul and the most profit fishing for bluefin in the North Atlantic off the coast of the US state of Massachusetts.

The National Geographic show also sheds light on the declining population of bluefin tuna due to overfishing and illegal fishing.

Griffin won the season 4 competition.

NC Watermen United went on to share a tribute for Griffin on Facebook alongside a series of photos.

“It is with a sad heart that we write this post. Captain Charlie Griffin met with a tragic boating accident in the early hours of Monday morning off Oregon Inlet,” the statement said.

“We wish to extend our sympathy to the family, friends, and fellow fishermen of this well-respected and beloved captain of the Reels of Fortune. ‘Griff’ touched all whom he met including all his fans from his days on Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks.

“’Griff’ was well-loved and will be missed by many.

“We are forever grateful for the impact he made on our lives.”