Duffy Fudge was a popular cast member of the reality TV show Wicked Tuna, which follows the lives and adventures of commercial tuna fishermen in Gloucester, Massachusetts. He was the first mate of Captain Tyler McLaughlin’s fishing vessel, Pinwheel, and also appeared on the spin-off series Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks. He was known for his passion for fishing, his environmental awareness, and his charismatic personality. Sadly, Duffy passed away on July 19, 2018, just days before his 29th birthday. His death shocked his fans and the fishing community, as he was one of the most skilled and respected fishermen in the country. But what was the cause of his death? And how did his family and friends cope with the loss?
The Official Statement
The news of Duffy’s death was first announced by The Remick & Gendron Funeral Home on July 19, 2018, with an official statement on Wicked Tuna’s social media channels confirming the devastating news on July 23, 2018. The statement read:
@NatGeoChannel and @Pilgrim_Studios were saddened to learn that Wicked Tuna cast member Nicholas “Duffy” Fudge passed away this week. Duffy was the first mate on Captain Tyler McLaughlin’s fishing vessel, Pinwheel. We join his family and friends in mourning his untimely loss.
The cause of Duffy’s death was not disclosed in the statement, nor in his obituary, which only said that he died from “unexpected causes”. The obituary also described Duffy as a person who loved “his smile, his fearlessness, his adventurous spirit, his mischievous sense of humor, and giving big hugs”. It added that “his presence could light up any room” and joked that “Nick now begins his next adventure to locate his missing cell phones, ID’s, and credit cards”.
Duffy left behind his parents, Ronald Jr. and Judy Fudge, his brother, Cody, and his girlfriend, Ali Currier. He also left a legacy of fans who admired his fishing skills and his personality.
The Speculations
Since the official cause of Duffy’s death was not revealed, many speculations and rumors emerged about what happened to him. Some of them pointed to his drug addiction, which he had struggled with for a long time. According to Monsters and Critics, Duffy had been arrested for drug possession in 2017, and had been in and out of rehab several times. However, there is no evidence that drugs were involved in his death, and his family and friends never confirmed or denied this theory.
Another speculation, which was more widely accepted by his fellow fishermen, was that he died from decompression sickness, also known as “the bends”. This is a condition that can affect divers who resurface too quickly, causing nitrogen bubbles to form in their blood and tissues. This can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, joint pain, paralysis, and even death. According to Distractify, some local fishermen claimed that Duffy had been diving for scallops a few days before his death, and that he might have suffered from the bends. However, this theory was also not confirmed by any official source, and it remains unclear if Duffy was diving at all.
The Tribute
Despite the mystery and the grief, the Wicked Tuna crew continued to fish and honor Duffy’s memory. In the season finale of Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks, which aired on September 16, 2018, Captain Tyler McLaughlin dedicated his catch to Duffy, saying:
We just persevered. We just caught a fish on the spot where Duffy and I caught our last fish together. I don’t care if we get $2 a pound, $25 or $30 a pound. I’m just so happy to have this fish. It means so much to us.
The episode also featured a tribute to Duffy, showing clips of his best moments on the show, and messages from his family and friends. The tribute ended with the words “In Loving Memory of Nicholas S. Fudge 1989-2018”.
Duffy’s death was a tragic loss for the Wicked Tuna family and the fishing community. He was a talented and beloved fisherman who left a mark on everyone who knew him. His death also raised awareness about the dangers and risks of diving and fishing, and the importance of safety and prevention. Duffy will always be remembered as a wicked tuna star who lived his life to the fullest.
