Junior Edwards has died.
The Swamp People star’s family and costars announced his passing in a series of social media posts on July 26.
Swamp People‘s Ashley “Deadeye” Jones mourned her cast mate’s death on Instagram, writing, “The world lost a legend! Mr Junior Edwards passed away! Please be in prayer for the family! He was one of the greatest alligator hunters there is!”
The reality star—who accompanied her post with a selfie of her and Junior—continued, “He was real hardcore outdoorsman! I watched this man bring in MONSTER gators at Duffys Gas Station in Pierre Part LA. This was after a looooong day for both of us and you can tell it! Glad we took a second for a pic!”
Meanwhile, Junior’s grandson “Little” Willie Edwards shared on Facebook, “Rest easy pawpaw….i know your probably running your hoop nets or doing something crazy inside those pearly gates…you will be extremely missed pawpaw we love you more than anything!!! Until we meet again.”
Neither Ashley nor Willie shared details about the date of his passing or official cause of death.
Fans of the History Channel series also mourned Junior’s passing in the comments.
“Im so sorry for your heartbreaking loss,” one user wrote. “Junior Edwards was a hell of a man. Not just an amazing alligator hunter and trapper but a family man who took care of his family and provided for them.”
They added, “I’ll never forget the episode where he accidentally shot Willie or the episode where they released the otter they nursed back to health and released, yes I cried too. My prayers and sincerest condolences goes out to your family during these trying times.”
Another longtime viewer shared, “Though I never met Mr. Junior Edwards, I almost felt like I knew him through his time on Swamp People. He was a good, hard-working man, and we all know he had a heart of gold after that episode with the otter! RIP.”
Keep reading to see more TV and film stars Hollywood lost this year…
Jane Goodall
The trailblazing anthropologist died at age 91 on Oct. 1.
Brad Everett Young
The actor-turned-celebrity photographer, who appeared on shows such as Grey’s Anatomy and Boy Meets World, died at age 46 after being injured in a car crash in Los Angeles Sept. 14.
Robert Redford
The star of many beloved films like The Natural to Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid died on Sept. 16 at the age of 89.
“Robert Redford passed away on September 16, 2025, at his home at Sundance in the mountains of Utah–the place he loved, surrounded by those he loved,” his publicist confirmed to E! News in a statement. “He will be missed greatly.”
Giorgio Armani
The fashion designer and Armani founder, who launched his namesake label in 1975, has died at 91, the company confirmed Sept. 4.
“With infinite sorrow, the Armani Group announces the passing of its creator, founder, and tireless driving force: Giorgio Armani,” the fashion brand said in a statement. “He was always respectfully and admiringly called by employees and collaborators, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones.”
Graham Greene
The Oscar-nominated Dances With Wolves actor died Sept. 1 after an undisclosed “lengthy illness,” according to his agent. He was 73.
Verónica Echegui
The Spanish actress—known for her role as Marta in Apple TV+’s Love You to Death—died on Aug. 24 at Madrid’s 12 de Octubre University Hospital where she was being treated for cancer, according to Variety. She was 42.
Reggie Carroll
The comedian, who performed stand-up routines across the country, died after being involved in a shooting in northern Mississippi on Aug. 20, the Southaven Police Department confirmed. He was 52.
“Southaven officers located one male victim suffering from gunshot wounds,” authorities wrote on Facebook Aug. 23. “The officers and medical personnel provided life saving techniques but the individual succumbed to his injuries.”
Brent Hinds
The former guitarist of the heavy metal band Mastodon died Aug. 20 after his motorcycle collided with a car in Atlanta. He was 51.
Ernesto Barajas
The Enigma Norteño lead singer was shot dead at a parking lot in Zapopan, Mecixo, on Aug. 19, according to local authorities. He was 38.
Ariela “La Langosta”
The Dominican influencer died on Aug. 17. New York’s Westchester County Police Department confirmed that Ariela Mejia-Polanco, 33, was fatally shot after her body was found at the wheel of her car on the Cross County Parkway.
Tristan Rogers
The General Hospital star died in August at the age of 79 following a brief battle with lung cancer.
Brandon Blackstock
Kelly Clarkson‘s ex-husband passed away in August at 48 following a private, years-long battle with cancer.
Loni Anderson
The ’80s TV star passed away Aug. 3 at the age of 79, her publicist Cheryl J. Kagan confirmed to multiple outlets.
Laura Dahlmeier
The two-time Olympic gold medalist in biathlon died on July 28 after getting caught in a rockfall while descending Laila Peak in Pakistan, her management team shared. Due to the remote location of the accident, rescuers were unable to reach her body.
“Recovering the body is too risky for the rescue workers under the current difficult conditions on Laila Peak, including rockfall and a sudden change in the weather,” the statement continued. “It was Laura Dahlmeier’s express and written wish that, in a case like this, no one should risk their life to recover her.”
Alon Aboutboul
The actor, who appeared in films such as The Dark Knight Rises, Munich and London Has Fallen, died in July 2025 at age 60 shortly after going swimming at HaBonim Beach in Tel Aviv, Israel, according to local publication N12. His rep later confirmed his passing to Metro.
Hulk Hogan
The wrestling legend and WWE superstar died at his Clearwater, Florida home in July 2025 a month after he underwent a successful neck surgery. He was 71.
Ozzy Obsourne
The Black Sabbath rocker known for his decades-long career in the music industry died on July 22 after a battle with Parkinson’s disease, his family has announced. He was 76.
“It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning,” they said in a statement shared to the U.K. Press Association. “He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.”
Malcolm-Jamal Warner
The actor, who portrayed Theodore Huxtable on The Cosby Show, died at the age of 54 after an accidental drowning, multiple outlets reported July 21.
Bobby Jenks
The two-time All-Star pitcher for the Chicago White Sox, who brought the team to victory at the 2005 World Series, died on July 4 following a battle with stomach cancer. He was 44.
Sophia Hutchins
Caitlyn Jenner’s longtime friend and manager died on July 2 after a fatal ATV accident, multiple outlets confirmed. She was 29.
Ananda Lewis
The former MTV VJ died in June after a years-long battle with breast cancer.
Jonathan Joss
The Parks and Rec actor died June 1 following a fatal shooting. He was 59.
Devin Harjes
The Boardwalk Empire alum died May 27 after battling cancer. He was 41.
Ronald Fenty
Rihanna‘s father died May 31 at age 70 after battling an illness, multiple outlets reported.
Loretta Swit
The M*A*S*H actress died of natural causes at her New York City home on May 30, according to her publicist.
Phil Robertson
The Duck Dynasty star passed away at the age of 79, his family confirmed May 25.
Anna Grace Phelan
The TikToker died May 23 after a battle with brain cancer.
Jiggly Caliente
The RuPaul’s Drag Race star, whose real name is Bianca Castro-Arabejo, died April 27. Her family announced her death days after revealing she had had part of her right leg amputated after contracting a severe infection. The cause of her death was not revealed.
Karen Silva
The Voice Kids Brazil alum died April 24 after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke. She was 17.
Sophie Nyweide
Sophie Nyweide
The child actor—who worked on films such as Mammoth, Noah and An Invisible Sign—died on April 14, her loved ones confirmed in an obituary. She was 24.
