'Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch' Star Dead At 68

Duane Ollinger, the star of the Discovery Channel's Mystery at Blind FrogRanch, has died at 68, TMZ reports.

A family source told the outlet that Ollinger died on Tuesday, June 2, at a hospital in Texas following a battle with ALS.

The show, which premiered in 2021, follows Ollinger and his son Chad, who go on a search for a legendary cache of lost Aztec gold that is believed to be beneath their 160-acre property in Utah. After Ollinger got sick, Josh Feldman, who joined the show in Season 3, took over as leader of the search for Season 6.

Following the sad news, many paid tribute to the Discovery Channel star.

"Sad to report that my good friend Duane Ollinger of ‘Blind Frog Ranch' passed away earlier today. Duane was a force of constant positivity, empathy, & encouragement to everyone," Duane's castmate Ryan Skinner wrote via X.

"his is heartbreaking news. Duane was the heart and soul of the show, and his grit and determination to uncover the ranch's secrets made him so compelling to watch. He really seemed like a genuine, hard-working guy who threw everything into his passion. Sending thoughts to Chad and the rest of the Ollinger family. #BlindFrogRanch #DuaneOllinger," one person commented.

"Sad news Duane Ollinger passing at 68 is heartbreaking for fans of the show Rest in peace," another person shared.

While Ollinger left the show due to his battle with ALS, his son Chad left the show due to legal issues.

Chad was previously arrested in November 2024 after he ran a stoplight in front of an unmarked police car and attempted to flee. Then, in February 2025, he was arrested again for driving with an invalid license with previous convictions. That was followed by an incident in December 2025 where he was charged after his cellmate was found dead inside a Las Vegas jail, with Chad being suspected of murder.

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This story was originally published June 3, 2026 at 9:38 AM.