No official cause of death has been revealed, but his colleagues suggest that the late star might have suffered from decompression sickness.
- Jul 23, 2018
AceShowbiz - Nicholas "Duffy" Fudge, a cast member of National Geographic Channel's reality show "Wicked Tuna", has died. He was 28. The popular series announced the heartbreaking news on social media on Sunday, July 22, alongside a photo of the late star.
"National Geographic and Pilgrim Media Group were saddened to learn that 'Wicked Tuna' cast member Nicholas 'Duffy' Fudge passed away this week," read a statement on the show's official Facebook page. "Duffy was the first mate on Captain Tyler McLaughlin's fishing vessel, Pinwheel, and has appeared on both 'Wicked Tuna' and our spinoff series 'Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks'. We join Duffy's family and friends in mourning his untimely loss."
In honor of the National Geographic Channel star, the network aired a moment of silence during the show's Sunday episode.
According to his obituary on the Remick & Gendron Funeral Home website, Fudge "passed away unexpectedly" on Thursday, July 19.
"His passions were fishing and the outdoors. As a child, Nick began tuna fishing with his father and grandfather," his obituary read. "After becoming one of the top fishermen in the country, he earned a place on the National Geographic reality show 'Wicked Tuna' for multiple seasons. Nick also treasured environment and he took seriously his responsibility to protect it."
Police are still investigating Fudge's sudden death and no official cause of death has been revealed. However, his colleagues told New Hampshire Union Leader that he might have suffered from decompression sickness, a disease which is caused by the formation of bubbles of gas that occur changes in pressure during scuba diving.
Fudge was one of the stars on "Wicked Tuna", which launched in April 2012 and is set in Massachusetts. He is survived by his parents, Ronald and Judy, and his younger brother, Cody. His family is asking for donations to the Nicholas "Duffy" Fudge Memorial Fund, which raises money for environment preservation, in lieu of flowers.
