Swamp People Star Junior Edwards Dies: ‘He Was One of the Greatest Alligator Hunters,’ Relative Says

Swamp People star Junior Edwards has died.

His grandson, “Lil” Willie Edwards, announced the news in a Facebook post on Saturday, July 26. It is unclear how old Junior was.

Beginning the heartfelt post, “Rest easy pawpaw,” Willie continued, “I know [you’re] probably running your hoop nets or doing something crazy inside those pearly gates.”

“You will be extremely missed pawpaw,” he added. “We love you more than anything!!! Until we meet again.”

On Instagram, another Swamp People regular, Ashley “Deadeye” Jones, mourned Junior’s death, writing alongside a selfie of herself and Junior, “The world lost a legend!”

“Mr. Junior Edwards passed away! Please be in prayer for the family!” she continued. “He was one of the greatest alligator hunters there is!”

“He was real hardcore outdoorsman! I watched this man bring in MONSTER gators at Duffys Gas Station in Pierre Part LA,” Ashley added. “This was after a looooong day for both of us and you can tell it! Glad we took a second for a pic!”

The date when Junior died, and other details — including his cause of death — have not yet been made public.

However, the History Channel star’s grandson said earlier this month that Junior had been in poor health.

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“Well guys, those of you that don’t know … my grandpa has been dealing with some health issues,” Willie wrote on social media on July 6.

He added: “Y’all keep him in y’all’s thoughts and prayers please…we need a miracle. Get better for us papa, we love you!!!”

Swamp People is a History Channel docuseries that has been on air for 14 years. Across 15 seasons, the show follows the Landry family, descendants of French Canadian refugees who settled in Louisiana and hunt alligators for a living.

Junior appeared on Swamp People from 2010 until 2015 as a regular cast member alongside his son, Willie Edwards, and grandson.

He later returned to the series for season 12 in 2021. He joked on Facebook at the time: “Surprise… look who’s back.”