Lance Waldroup, Star of Discovery’s ‘Moonshiners,’ Dies at 30 (2024)

Lance Waldroup, one of the bootleggers featured in Discovery‘s reality series “Moonshiners,” died on Feb. 25 in North Carolina. He was 30.

The network confirmed Waldroup’s death in a Facebook post earlier this week.

“We are saddened to hear about the loss of Lance Waldroup,” the network said. “An adventurous distiller who was featured alongside his father throughout the early seasons of Moonshiners, Lance was always looking to take his flavorful recipes of ‘shine to new heights.”

A cause of death has not yet been revealed. However, a GoFundMe page set up by his family to raise money for a memorial fund says the death was “unexpected.”

Waldroup, one of the less experienced bootleggers on the series, frequently appeared on “Moonshiners” with his father, Jeff, to whom he would frequently turn for guidance.

According to the GoFundMe, Waldroup is a native of Graham County, N.C. His sister, Lyndsey, had cystic fibrosis and died at the age of 11, and his brother, Lamar, also had cystic fibrosis and died at the age of 20, 1.5 years after a lung transplant, leaving Lance with no siblings. The losses left him with survivor’s guilt, according to the page, and he “was an addict for several years and then decided to turn his life around. He went to rehab and had become a recovered addict.”

Waldroup quit “Moonshiners” to take care of his mother, Lynn, after she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. “He did not want to leave her side and waited on her hand and foot,” the GoFundMe page reads.

A memorial service for Waldroup is set for March 6 at the Cedar Cliff Baptist Church in Robbinsville, N.C.

Lance Waldroup, Star of Discovery’s ‘Moonshiners,’ Dies at 30 (2024)

FAQs

Lance Waldroup, Star of Discovery’s ‘Moonshiners,’ Dies at 30? ›

Lance Waldroup, who appeared the early seasons of the Discovery reality series Moonshiners, has died at the age of 30. Waldroup died on Feb. 25 at his home in Robbinsville, North Carolina, according to a GoFundMe campaign created on behalf of his family for a memorial fund. A cause of death was not given.

How did Lance from Moonshiners pass away? ›

Autopsy results are in for Lance Waldroup, the late reality TV star from Discovery's "Moonshiners", and they show his heart gave out ... TMZ has learned. Lance's official cause of death is listed as congestive heart failure ... according to the autopsy report TMZ obtained.

What star from Moonshiners passed away? ›

Jim Tom Hedrick, star of Discovery Channel's “Moonshiners,” died Sept. 6 of kidney cancer. He was 82. “Jim Tom Hedrick was a treasured member of the Moonshiners family and we share our condolences with his family and all those who loved him,” a Discovery Channel spokesperson said in a statement to Variety.

How old is Lance from Moonshiners? ›

Lance Waldroup, one of the moonshiners featured on Discovery's “Moonshiners” series, has died at the age of 30. According to a statement from the network, Waldroup died on Feb. 25 at his home in North Carolina.

What happened to Lance and his dad from Moonshiners? ›

IN March 2021, it was announced that Moonshiners star Lance Waldroup had died at just 30 years old. Waldroup starred in six seasons of Moonshiners with his father Jeff and helped share the trade of distilling moonshine as well as absinthe and scotch.

What disease does Moonshiner Digger have? ›

In summary, Digger Manes of Moonshiners is contending with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), a blood disorder disclosed in Season 13 of the show. Despite the unsettling revelation, Digger maintains a hopeful outlook and assures his supporters that CLL isn't life-threatening.

Is Jim Tom Hedrick still alive? ›

Did Tim from Moonshiners pass away? ›

Marvin “Jim Tom” Hedrick, the colorful master distiller from Discovery's Moonshiners, passed away this morning, according to his co-stars Eric “Digger” Manes and Mark Ramsey.

Which moonshiner has a blood disease? ›

Josh, who was hobbled by racing injuries, wants to return to making moonshine, and then, before the end of the premier, Digger makes a shocking revelation. Viewers will learn that legendary moonshiner Digger has been diagnosed with a rare blood disorder.

Who is the new girl on Moonshiners? ›

Amanda Bryant : Moonshiners & Master Distiller.

Who is the richest moonshiner? ›

Other members of the show including, Mark Ramsey, Eric Digger Manes, Josh Owens, Bill Canny, Chico, David Parker, and Jim Tom Hendrick, have a net worth of not more than $300,000. Therefore, it is clear that Tickle is not the wealthiest person in the show, but one of the veterans, Tim Smith, is.

Is Moonshiners fake? ›

The series dramatizes their liquor production efforts, law-evading techniques and life. There have been claims by local officials that the show is not what it portrays itself to be. Virginia authorities have stated that no illegal liquor is actually being produced by the people depicted in the show.

Who passed away from Moonshiners? ›

Jim Tom Hedrick, one of the stars of the Discovery Channel docudrama “Moonshiners,” has died. He was 82. Sugarlands Distilling Company announced Hedrick's death in a Facebook post Wednesday, writing, “It's with heavy hearts we say goodbye to our dear friend Marvin 'Jim Tom' Hedrick.”

Who got busted on Moonshiners? ›

Jeff and Lance are far from the only Moonshiners cast members who disappeared from the public view. According to Screen Rant, Popcorn Sutton was arrested in the spring of 2008, after openly admitting to his illegal business activity while in conversation with an undercover officer.

Is the feud between Richard and Mike on Moonshiners real? ›

For example: The contrived and overly dramatized feud between Richard and Mike has crossed the line over into pure make believe. It's a borderline "professional wrestling" type storyline at this point. So much of what is shown is obviously faked it's become laughable.

Did moonshiner Josh lose his leg? ›

The accident, and subsequent costly medical bills had a devastating financial impact on Owens, who is continuing to recover. “I broke my neck, back, and both legs,” said Owens, who spent nearly 10 days in a coma remains in wheelchair. He said that he has made and continues to make significant progress in his recovery.

How did Moonshiner Josh get hurt? ›

Moonshiners star Josh Owens is recovering after he was injured in a motorcycle accident at the Daytona International Speedway. The accident occurred on Saturday in Daytona Beach, Florida, according to The Independent.

What disease does digger have? ›

Digger has been diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), a cancer of the blood and bone marrow that usually gets worse overtime, per the National Cancer Institute. While it is the most common form of leukemia in adults, it's still considered rare as there are fewer than 200,000 cases in the U.S. per year.

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