Overview
- Friends, co-stars and a Discovery Channel spokesperson confirmed Ollinger’s death and offered condolences while reporting respiratory complications as the immediate cause.
- Colleagues say Ollinger had battled multiple strokes and a reported case of ALS, and that doctors treated pneumonia and respiratory failure during his final hospitalization in Amarillo, Texas.
- Production on Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch is continuing with treasure hunter Josh Feldman stepping into the lead role for season six after Ollinger fell ill and stepped back from the search.
- Initial notices of his passing were posted on social media by acquaintances and then amplified by entertainment outlets before Discovery issued an official tribute.
- Ollinger’s family story has drawn public attention because his son, Chad Ollinger, was charged with an open-murder count in December and was later ordered into mental-health treatment after being found legally incompetent.