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...
William Rush
The Waterloo Road actor died on Dec. 17, his mother Debbie Rush confirmed.
“As a family, our hearts are completely broken,” she wrote on Instagram, “and there are no words that can truly capture the depth of our loss.”
He was 31.
Rob Reiner & Michele Singer Reiner
The director and producer were found dead in their home on Dec. 14 after an apparent homicide, a source close to the family told NBC News.
Wenne Alton Davis
The actress who played roles on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Girls5eva and New Amsterdam died Dec. 8 after being struck by a car in New York City, police and her agent confirmed to The New York Times. She was 60.
Jeff Garcia
The comedian and voice actor, best known for lending his voice to Jimmy Neutron and Happy Feet, died on Dec. 10, his son Jojo Garcia confirmed. He was 50.
Sophie Kinsella
The author of the beloved Confessions of a Shopaholic series died in December following a battle with gliobalstoma.
“We can’t imagine what life will be like without her radiance and love of life," her loved ones wrote. "Despite her illness, which she bore with unimaginable courage, Sophie counted herself truly blessed - to have such wonderful family and friends, and to have had the extraordinary success of her writing career.”
Alice Kessler and Ellen Kessler
The German entertainment duo died by joint assisted suicide on Nov. 17, according to the German Society for Humane Dying (DGHS). The twins, who passed away at age 89, rose to fame in 1959 when they represented Germany at the Eurovision Song Contest.
Paige Greco
The gold medalist in paralympic cycling died Nov. 16 at age 28 following a medical episode, South Australian authorities confirmed to AusCycling.
“Paige meant everything to us,” Paige’s mother Natalie Greco said in a statement to AusCycling. “Her kindness, her determination and her warmth touched our family every single day. She brought so much joy and pride into our lives, and the pain of her passing is something we will carry forever.”
Cleto Escobedo
The Jimmy Kimmel Live! band leader passed away on Nov. 11 at age 59, Jimmy Kimmel announced on social media. Of his friends passing, Jimmy wrote on Instagram at the time, “To say that we are heartbroken is an understatement.”
Sally Kirkland
The Oscar nominee, best known for her role in the 1987 film Anna, died at age 84 on Nov. 11, her rep Michael Greene confirmed to TMZ. Prior to her passing, the former actress had entered hospice care in Palm Springs, Calif. after battling dementia for a year.
Dick Cheney
The 46th vice president of the United States under Republican George W. Bush died on Nov. 3 at age 84, his family confirmed.
"His beloved wife of 61 years, Lynne, his daughters, Liz and Mary, and other family members were with him as he passed," the statement shared with NBC News read. "The former Vice President died due to complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease."
Marshawn Kneeland
The 24-year-old defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys died on Nov. 6, the team confirmed.
“Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization,” the Cowboys’ statement, which did not share additional details on Marshawn’s passing, continued. “Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family."
Diane Ladd
“My amazing hero and my profound gift of a mother passed with me beside her this morning,” daughter Laura Dern said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter Nov. 3. “She was the greatest daughter, mother, grandmother, actress, artist and empathetic spirit that only dreams could have seemingly created. We were blessed to have her. She is flying with her angels now.”
Isabelle Tate
The 9-1-1: Nashville actress died from a rare form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, an inherited neurological disorder, on Oct. 19 at age 23.
Sam Rivers
On Oct. 18, Limp Bizkit announced that their bassist had passed away at age 48.
Ace Frehley
The KISS guitarist died at age 74, his family confirmed on Oct. 16.
Diane Keaton
The Oscar-winning actress—who starred in Annie Hall, Father of the Bride and Something's Gotta Give throughout her decades-long career—died from pneumonia on Oct. 11, according to her family. She was 79.
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."