‘Wicked Tuna’ star Charlie Griffin found dead with dog in North Carolina’s Outer Banks
After several days of exhaustive search operations, authorities confirmed the tragic news that a person and his pet dog were discovered dead off the coast of North Carolina. The victims, discovered near the Oregon Inlet, were confirmed by friends and family to be Charlie Griffin, star of the reality-TV series “Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks“, and his cherished dog, Leila.
Statement from family and friends
“It is with the deepest sadness we report that Charlie Griffin and his beloved dog, Leila, have passed away in a boating accident today, March 4th,” the Facebook post read. “Please keep family and friends in your thoughts and prayers. We will forever remember Griff!”
Details of the search operation
During the search, the U.S. Coast Guard announced that they discovered the body of a person and a dog close to the Oregon Inlet. The organization resumed its search operations for a missing person in collaboration with the National Park Service on March 5, but suspended the search the subsequent day.
About ‘Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks’
Begun in 2014, “Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks” featured multiple voyages of captains as they sailed in pursuit of tuna across the Outer Banks in North Carolina. Griffin and his son Jake formed a partnership focused on catching fish to generate income to support their family.
Triumphs on the sea
Each episode of the reality TV show, which lasted for 60 minutes, captured their triumphs amidst treacherous waters, weather conditions, and intense rivalries. Such avenues of exploration earned the show the moniker of the “graveyard of the Atlantic.” Their fruitful collaborative work led to the christening of their vessel as “Reels of Fortune.”
Remembering Capt. Charlie Griffin
In a heartfelt post, Dare County Commissioner Steve House reverently recalls Capt. Griffin. “A very sad day for our fishing community. His humor and knowledge will be sadly missed. He helped make the OBX even more famous with his time on Wicked Tuna OBX,” House wrote.
Griffin is remembered as a fun and sweet guy whose life was cut tragically short. Friends, family, and fans alike have mourned his death with the simple yet profound message, “Rest In Peace.”
Author: STAFF HERE OUTER BANKS WRITER
The OBX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOBX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in the Outer Banks, Dare County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Outer Banks Seafood Festival, NC VIP Fishing Tournament, and NCBBA Red Drum Tournament. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce and Outer Banks Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in tourism, retail, and hospitality that power the local economy such as Kitty Hawk Kites, Outer Banks Mall, and Avon Fishing Pier. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HERERaleigh.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
