american pickers dies from 2nd stroke

[IceWizard]

'American Pickers'
Star Frank Fritz Dead at 58
Complications From Stroke, 

Costar by Side


"American Pickers" star Frank Fritz has died ...
his longtime costar and friend, Mike Wolfe, confirmed.

Fritz's costar posted on social media Tuesday, sharing the tragic news with fans ...
confirming the reality TV veteran died Monday evening.






He wrote ...
"It’s with a broken heart that I share with all of you that Frank passed
away last night. I’ve [known] 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."







As he continued, Wolfe remembered their friendship before filming "American Pickers" ...
which documented their hunt for rare artifacts and national treasures.

He added ...
"Before the show we would take off together to places we 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."

MW signed off his note by sharing his love for Fritz,
noting he knew his costar was now in "a better place."

Wolfe did not share any details regarding a cause of death.

Fritz's passing comes 2 years after he was hospitalized for a stroke ...
which occurred amid a myriad of other health issues for the star.



TMZ broke the story ...
Fritz notably stepped away from "American Pickers" back in 2021 after 12 years
on the show. FF took a break from filming to deal with problems related to
his Crohn's disease ... he even underwent back surgery.

Fritz and Wolfe had some estrangement at the time, with FF previously claiming
his costar didn't check on him after the procedure. The pair reportedly didn't
speak for a while but appeared to reconcile last year ...
with Wolfe hoping to film with Fritz again.

The HISTORY Channel and Cineflix Productions released a statement:

“We are saddened to share that our friend and beloved member 

of The HISTORY Channeland American Pickers family, Frank Fritz, 

has passed away on September 30, 2024.
Frank filmed American Pickers for over a decade. 

We will always remember ‘the bearded charmer’
and his never-ending search for vintage motorcycles 

and bikes. Our thoughts are with Frank’s loved ones 

during this difficult time.He will be deeply missed.”

Fritz was 58 years old.



UPDATE

12:09 PM PT

A rep for Frank Fritz tells TMZ …
he died from the effects of a stroke he had several years ago --
and he had Crohn’s disease for decades, which may have played a role.

Frank was in a Quad Cities hospice facility (on the Iowa-Illinois border)
and was surrounded by friends, including Mike Wolfe, when he passed.