The reality star hunted for ancient Aztec treasure in Utah across the first five seasons of the Discovery series.

Duane Ollinger, star of Discovery’s Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch, dies at 68

The reality star hunted for ancient Aztec treasure in Utah across the first five seasons of the Discovery series.

By Wesley Stenzel

Wesley Stenzel

Wesley Stenzel is a news writer at **. He began writing for EW in 2022.

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June 3, 2026 2:40 p.m. ET

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Duane Ollinger on 'Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch'. Credit:

- Duane Ollinger died at 68 on June 2 in Amarillo, Tex.

- His costar Ryan Skinner said that he died from respiratory failure resulting from pneumonia amid a battle with ALS.

- Another colleague, Emery Smith, said that Ollinger died from respiratory arrest.

Duane Ollinger, the star of Discovery's *Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch*, has died.

The reality star died at 68 in the ICU at a hospital in Amarillo, Tex., on Tuesday, two of his costars announced in separate posts.

Ryan Skinner, who appeared on 10 episodes of *Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch *between 2023 and 2025, shared a post on Reddit claiming that Ollinger died from respiratory failure resulting from pneumonia amid a battle with ALS.

Emery Smith, who was credited on one episode of the show and said that he has worked at Blind Frog Ranch since 2023 on his LinkedIn profile, said that Ollinger died from respiratory arrest in a Facebook post.

Both Skinner and Smith said that Ollinger suffered multiple strokes over the last few years.

Duane Ollinger on 'Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch'.

Craig Carpenter/Discovery

A Discovery Channel spokesperson shared a tribute to Ollinger with **. "Duane Ollinger leaves behind a legacy of curiosity and determination," the spokesperson said. "Through his work, he invited people along in his search for answers and the unknown. We share our condolences with his family, friends, and all who were part of his journey."

EW has reached out to Blind Frog Ranch for comment.

*Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch* followed Ollinger and his son Chad as they searched Utah’s Uinta Basin for ancient Aztec gold. The show launched in 2021, and treasure hunter Josh Feldman took over the investigation in season 6, which premiered last week, after Ollinger fell ill.

Ollinger previously worked as a high-risk oil contractor before turning his focus to treasure hunting.

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"His mission was leaving a legacy and helping others to the extent of supporting our projects for the betterment of humanity," Smith wrote in his post. "He was outgoing and had an adventurous spirit and was highly intelligent and psychic. He was connected to intelligence agencies through our mutual friends and colleagues."

He continued, "He was always up for a new mission and adventure. He was one of the most important people on my team and still is. He was a powerhouse leader, ambassador, and liaison for the team and this planet. His knowledge and experience on the team was a critical role for the  planet's survival and the health of its inhabitants, a true humanitarian."

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Skinner also wrote a sweet tribute to Ollinger. "Duane and I shared a long friendship and worked together on the Blind Frog Ranch that meant a lot to both of us," he wrote. "What I’ll remember most is his humor, his intelligence, and the way he could make light of any situation. He cared deeply about his family and was always willing to help others."

He added, "He was a man of his word, a [truly] caring [individual] with a heart as big as Texas, and an open mind to both spirit and adventure."

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