We'll 'Forever Remember Griff': Wicked Tuna Star Capt. Charlie Griffin Dead After Boating Accident

Capt. Griffin and his dog Leila were found dead in the incident occurring on the Outer Banks that was "unrelated to the series"

Capt. Charlie 'Griff' Griffin, best known for starring in the National Geographic series Wicked Tuna, has died.

News of Griffin's death was confirmed Monday on the star's officialFacebookpage. "It is with the deepest sadness we report that Charlie Griffin and his beloved dog, Leila, have passed away in a boating accident today, March 4th," the post began.

"Please keep family and friends in your thoughts and prayers," the statement concluded. "We will forever remember Griff!"

In a statement shared with PEOPLE, National Geographic and Pilgrim Media Group jointly said they were "saddened to learn that Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks cast member Captain Charlie 'Griff' Griffin passed away this week after a shipwreck unrelated to the series."

"Charlie was the captain of the fishing vessel Reels of Fortune and appeared on seasons two through five of Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks, fishing side-by-side on the series with his only child, Jake," their statement continued. "Charlie was known to all as a -

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spirited fisherman with a big heart. We join Charlie’s family, fellow cast members and friends in mourning his untimely loss.

The US Coast Guard informedOuter Banks Voice that Griffin's boat went missing on Sunday near the Oregon Inlet. The 35-ft. vesselis believed to have "capsized."

Upon being located on shore, Griffin and his dog were found deceased.

Griffin was accompanied by another occupant while traveling from Virginia to Wanchese, North Carolina. A search for the unnamed individual, led by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, remains ongoing.

PEOPLE has also reached out to the US Coast Guard and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission for comment.

Griffin's Wicked Tuna spinoff, previously titled Wicked Tuna: North vs. South, ran on National Geographic from 2014 to 2021. The series followed fishermen who fish for Atlantic bluefin tuna off the coast of North Carolina.

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Wicked Tuna can be streamed on Disney+.

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