Fans Are Still in Shock: The Heartbreaking Fates of 9 Beloved Mountain Men Cast Members—Unseen Tragedies, Sudden Dea-ths, and the Dark Stories You Were Never Told
Fans Are Still in Shock: The Heartbreaking Fates of 9 Beloved Mountain Men Cast Members—Unseen Tragedies, Sudden Dea-ths, and the Dark Stories You Were Never Told
9 Beloved Mountain Men Cast Members Who Tragically Passed Away
When fans evoke nostalgia for Mountain Men, it’s often with fond memories of the cast’s stoic independence and connection to wilderness life. Over time, a common claim has circulated online: that “nine cast members” tragically died during or after filming. But how many of those deaths are real—and how many are rumors, misunderstandings, or hail from entirely different shows?
In fact, diligent review shows that only one principal cast member definitively passed away: Preston Roberts. A second figure, Jason Hawk, appears in unverified rumor—but no credible documentary or production source confirms his involvement or death. That leaves the rest of the supposed list unconfirmed. Let’s address each name often cited, and then refocus on the truth.
1. Preston Roberts
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Who he was: A recurring cast member and friend of Eustace Conway; an art teacher turned woodsman and environmentalist, co-founder of Turtle Island Preserve.
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Death: Diagnosed with an inoperable liver tumor and passed away on July 24, 2017, at age 60—just one week after his birthday. His health deteriorated quickly, and treatment options were exhausted. His passing was shared publicly and acknowledged on the show.
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Legacy: Preston’s life and work were firmly connected to the show and the preserve, and he received an on‑screen tribute in the Season 6 finale. His legacy continues through scholarships and remembrances at Turtle Island Preserve.
2. Jason Hawk
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Alleged star: Some blogs and rumor websites claim that “Jason Hawk,” a cast member known for tools‑making and wilderness survival, died at age 50 in early 2025.
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Verification status: No reputable source—NO History Channel announcement, no official statement, no reliable media coverage—confirms his existence as a cast member, his death, or role on Mountain Men. These sites appear to be speculative or misleading. As such, Jason Hawk’s story remains unverified and likely inaccurate.
3–9. Other names commonly mis‑attributed
In attempts at compiling nine deaths, various individuals are mistakenly linked to Mountain Men—including cast from other series (Swamp People, Ax Men, old Western films, or the 1980’s feature The Mountain Men with Seymour Cassel). None of these people were cast members of the History Channel show. Here are a few:
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Junior Edwards: A cast member of Swamp People, not Mountain Men. He passed away in late July 2025 and was widely mourned—but has no connection to the mountain‑living survivalists.
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None of the actors from the 1980 film The Mountain Men (1980), such as Seymour Cassel, Victor Jory, David Ackroyd, etc., had any involvement with the modern reality show.
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Other reality‑TV deaths, such as those from Swamp People or Ax Men, are often conflated by online posts—but belong to entirely different shows. Examples include Jimmy Smith, Gabe Rygaard, William “Wild Bill” Wichrowski from Ax Men—none of whom were part of Mountain Men.
Why the “nine cast members” myth persists
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Blurring between shows: Mountain Men, Swamp People, and Ax Men share fans, similar formats, and History Channel branding—leading to confusion.
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Generic name confusion: “Mountain Men” (1980 film) versus the modern Mountain Men series causes mistaken names and timelines.
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Unsubstantiated blog posts: Sites repeating lists without verifying sources amplify the myth.
The Real Loss: Honoring Preston Roberts
Early life & role
Preston James Roberts was born July 17, 1957, in Westfield, New Jersey, and raised in Brevard, North Carolina. An art teacher by trade (with a degree in Art Education from Appalachian State University), he became a lifelong friend of Eustace Conway and helped found the Turtle Island Preserve—where Mountain Men centered much of its filming. He appeared in many Seasons 1–6 episodes.
Departure and illness
In mid‑2017, Preston left filming season 7 to care for his wife, Kathleen, and himself. A rapid diagnosis of an inoperable liver tumor led to his passing on July 24, 2017, just weeks after diagnosis. He was surrounded by family and friends, including Conway, at the time of his death.
Tribute and scholarship
The season‑6 finale was dedicated to his memory, with on‑screen nods and words from Eustace Conway. A scholarship in Preston’s name supports Turtle Island’s educational mission, continuing his legacy of sharing wilderness skills and environmental values.
What About Others?
To date, no other main or recurring cast member from Mountain Men has died—on- or off-camera. Cast such as:
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Eustace Conway, Tom Oar, Mike Horstman, Jason Hawk (unverified), Rich Lewis, Bob and Melissa, and others—remain living and have not been reported by History Channel to have passed away.
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No official or reliable media obituary exists for any other cast member besides Preston Roberts.
The repeated claim of nine deceased cast members appears to be a miscount, often involving unverified names or individuals from unrelated series.
Summary Table
| Name | Series | Status on Mountain Men | Death confirmed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preston Roberts | Yes | Recurring character | ✅ Yes (July 24, 2017) | Only confirmed Mountain Men cast loss. |
| Jason Hawk | Dubious claim | Unverified | ❌ Unconfirmed | Rumored death at age 50 in 2025—but no credible validation. |
| Junior Edwards | Swamp People | Not part of Mountain Men | ✅ Yes (2025) | Frequently mis‑attributed to MM. |
| Ax Men cast (e.g. Jimmy Smith) | Ax Men | Not part of MM | ✅ Yes | Not part of MM; conflation error. |
| 1980 film cast (Seymour Cassel, etc.) | The Mountain Men (film) | Not series cast | ✅ Some older deaths | Different production altogether. |
| Other recurring names (Rich Lewis, etc.) | Possibly guest | No death reports | ❌ No | Appear alive as of latest seasons. |
Honoring Their Memory
Though the “nine cast members” narrative is unfounded, the real loss of Preston Roberts affected many. His spirit lives on in:
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Turtle Island Preserve and its educational programs
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The scholarship established in his name
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The memories and friendships he created through Mountain Men
Closing Thoughts
Rumors often outpace reality online—and in the case of Mountain Men, myth has overshadowed fact. While many other survival‑based history reality shows have lost cast members (e.g. Swamp People, Ax Men), only one confirmed major death occurred on Mountain Men—that of Preston Roberts, in 2017.
Let this article stand as a clear, accurate record: Preston Roberts, beloved teacher, craftsman, friend, and wilderness advocate, died tragically in July 2017 at age 60. All other names tied to the “nine deaths” claim remain unsubstantiated or misattributed.
