Swamp People's Mitchell Guist Dies at 48 in Louisiana

Mitchell Guist, 48, who starred on the reality TV series "Swamp People", died in Louisiana's Belle River on Monday. Local sheriffs said the reality star was on a boat on the Intracoastal Waterway near Pierre Part when he fell aboard the boat. The cause of death is not known yet but authorities say he slipped and fell while loading items onto a boat. He also reportedly suffered a seizure but whether it was a result of the fall or a previous medical condition is unknown.

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"Swamp People" is a reality show shown on The History Channel, which follows the lives of alligator hunters in Louisiana's swamp country.

The History Channel released a statement following Guist's death: "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."

Sheriff Mike Waguespack said Guist was traveling on the waterway at 9a.m. when he fell and was taken to a hospital. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

According to WAFB-TV, the emergency call made by witnesses were released yesterday. The dispatcher asked the caller, "You say he's in cardiac arrest?"

The caller replied: "Yes sir, we're blowing and pumping the guy's chest right now ... It looks like he may have had a heart attack."
According to The History Channel, Mitchell Guist and his brother Glenn, was raised on the bayou and lived entirely off the land.

The "Swamp People" was a successful reality show, bringing in record-breaking views for the network. The show debuted in August 2010 and is in its third season, which debuted in February 2012.