NEWSMitchell Guist, 'Swamp People' Star, Dies at 48
May 15 2012, Published 11:00 a.m. ET
The alligator hunter, better known as Mitchell Guist, passed away yesterday morning in Louisiana a few days shy of his 49th birthday.
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According to The Associated Press, the star of Swamp People fell off his boat on the Intracoastal Waterway; reportedly, people in the community tried to revive him.
A witness called 911 and explained, "Yes sir, we're blowing and pumping the guy's chest right now. It looks like he may have had a heart attack."
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Local reports indicated he suffered a seizure and that emergency professionals weren't able to revive him. That said, no official announcement was made regarding the cause of death.
The History Channel released a statement: "We are extremely saddened to report that our friend and beloved member of the Swamp People family, Mitchell Guist, has passed away.... Mitchell passed on the swamp, doing what he loved. We appreciate your respect for the Guist family's privacy and hope you join us in sending our thoughts and prayers to his brother, Glenn, and the rest of the Guist family."
