For over a decade, ‘Life Below Zero’ has captivated audiences with its raw portrayal of life in Alaska’s remote wilderness. The National Geographic series, which premiered on May 19, 2013, follows individuals like Sue Aikens, Chip and Agnes Hailstone, and Jessie Holmes as they navigate extreme conditions to survive. However, in recent years, rumors have surfaced online claiming that a star from the show has passed away, causing distress among fans. After a thorough investigation, it appears that these claims are unfounded—no cast member from Life Below Zero has died. This article explores the origins of these rumors, fact-checks the claims, and provides an update on the show and its cast as of April 2025.
Cast Members Who Have Passed Away or Were Involved In Rumors
While Life Below Zero’s core cast remains alive and active, its spinoff series, Life Below Zero: Port Protection, has sadly lost two key cast members.
Gary Muehlberger (Port Protection)
Gary Muehlberger, one of the most beloved stars of Port Protection, tragically died in March 2021 after his home caught fire. He was 75. Authorities later confirmed that his remains were found in the burned structure. Gary had been a central part of the show from the beginning, admired for his vast survival skills and self-reliant lifestyle. National Geographic paid tribute to him, calling him “a legend to the Port Protection Alaskan community.”
Litzi Botello (Port Protection)
Another heartbreaking loss was Litzi Botello, who passed away in June 2021 following a private battle with cancer. Known for her quiet strength and creativity, Litzi continued to live a subsistence lifestyle even after the loss of her two sons. Her powerful presence and artistic spirit touched fans deeply, making her one of the standout figures on the show.
Rumors About Denise Becker
Denise Becker, the partner of main cast member Andy Bassich, became the subject of unfounded death rumors in early 2024. Her absence from recent episodes sparked speculation, but there is no evidence to support these claims. Denise reportedly stepped away from filming due to personal and health-related reasons. According to several fan discussions and a Facebook tribute post, she is alive and focusing on her recovery.
The Origin Of The Rumors
The rumors about a Life Below Zero star’s death seem to have originated from a combination of misinformation and confusion with another Alaska-based reality show. On June 16, 2023, Jim Tweto, a beloved bush pilot and star of Flying Wild Alaska on the Discovery Channel, tragically died in a plane crash near Shaktoolik, Alaska (AOPA – Flying Wild Alaska Star Jim Tweto Dies). Tweto, aged 68, was flying a Cessna 180 with passenger Shane Reynolds, a 45-year-old family friend, when the plane failed to gain altitude after takeoff, resulting in a fatal crash. His daughter, Ariel Tweto, announced the loss on Instagram, and the news was widely covered by outlets like The Spokesman.
Flying Wild Alaska, which aired from 2011 to 2012, documented the Tweto family’s aviation business in Unalakleet, Alaska. Given the shared Alaskan setting and survival theme with Life Below Zero, it’s plausible that some fans conflated the two shows, leading to erroneous rumors about a Life Below Zero cast member’s death. Additionally, specific false claims about Sue Aikens, a prominent Life Below Zero star, dying in March 2023 gained traction online but were later debunked.
Fact-Checking The Claims
To clarify, no cast member from Life Below Zero has passed away as of April 2025. The show’s core cast includes:
| Cast Member | Location | Status (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Sue Aikens | Kavik River Camp | Alive, managing her camp 197 miles north of the Arctic Circle |
| Chip and Agnes Hailstone | Noorvik, Kobuk River | Alive, living with their seven children |
| Jessie Holmes | Brushkana, Alaska | Alive, won Iditarod 53 in March 2025 |
| Andy Bassich | Calico Bluff, Yukon River | Alive, living with partner Denise Becker |
| Glenn Villeneuve | Chandalar, Alaska | Alive, residing with his family |
Recent evidence supports these statuses. For instance, Jessie Holmes’ victory in the 2025 Iditarod, with a finishing time of 10 days, 14 hours, 55 minutes, and 44 seconds, was reported by Alaska’s News Source (Life Below Zero Star Holmes Wins Iditarod). Sue Aikens, despite 2023 rumors claiming her death at age 57, is confirmed to be alive and active, as noted in Reports. Other cast members, like Chip and Agnes Hailstone, continue their subsistence lifestyle, with no reports of fatalities.
The rumor about Sue Aikens’ death was particularly persistent, with some outlets falsely reporting her passing in March 2023. However, these claims lacked credible evidence, and subsequent reports, including an X post discussion from September 2023, labeled them a hoax (Reddit – Sue Aikens Death Rumors). The absence of any obituary or official statement from National Geographic further confirms that no Life Below Zero cast member has died.
The Cast Of Life Below Zero Today
As of April 2025, the Life Below Zero cast remains resilient, continuing their lives in Alaska’s unforgiving wilderness. Here’s a detailed look at their current activities:
- Sue Aikens: Born July 1, 1963, Aikens is the sole resident of Kavik River Camp, located 197 miles north of the Arctic Circle. She has been a fan favorite since the show’s debut, known for her grit and survival skills, including surviving a bear attack. Aikens remains active, managing her camp, which serves hunters, adventurers, and scientists.
- Chip and Agnes Hailstone: The Hailstones live in Noorvik, 19 miles north of the Arctic Circle, with their seven children. Agnes, a Native Alaskan Inupiaq, brings generational knowledge to their subsistence lifestyle. The family continues hunting, fishing, and trapping.
- Jessie Holmes: A fisherman, hunter, and dog sled racer, Holmes lives in Brushkana with his 40 sled dogs. His 2025 Iditarod win marked a significant achievement, highlighting his ongoing presence in Alaska’s competitive scene.
- Andy Bassich: Based in Calico Bluff, Bassich has adapted to life with partner Denise Becker after his marriage to Kate Rorke-Bassich ended. He continues building his compound along the Yukon River.
- Glenn Villeneuve: Living in Chandalar, 200 miles north of Fairbanks, Villeneuve joined the show in its early seasons and remains in Alaska with his family.
The show’s cancellation in 2025, after 23 seasons, was a significant event for fans. Reported by Reality Blurred, the decision was part of broader industry changes, not related to any cast member’s death.
Why These Rumors Persist
Misinformation spreads easily in the digital age, particularly on social media platforms like X, where unverified claims can gain traction. The confusion between ‘Life Below Zero’ and ‘Flying Wild Alaska’ likely arose due to their shared Alaskan backdrop and survival themes. Both shows feature individuals facing extreme conditions, which may blur distinctions for casual viewers. Additionally, clickbait articles, such as one from 2023 falsely claiming a Life Below Zero star’s death at age 57, exploit fans’ emotions for traffic.
The dramatic nature of ‘Life Below Zero’ also contributes. Cast members face real dangers—Sue Aikens survived a bear attack, and Glenn Villeneuve escaped a wolf encounter, making death rumors seem plausible to some. However, credible sources consistently confirm the cast’s safety.
The Impact On Fans And The Show
The rumors have caused emotional distress for Life Below Zero’s dedicated fanbase, who have followed the cast’s journeys for over a decade. The show’s 150th episode in 2021 marked a milestone, reflecting its enduring popularity (The Biography – Who Died on Life Below Zero). False reports of a cast member’s death, especially about a beloved figure like Sue Aikens, can be deeply unsettling. The show’s cancellation in 2025 already left fans mourning its end, and rumors only amplify this sense of loss.
For the cast, these rumors may add pressure to their already challenging lives. Sue Aikens, for example, has spoken about the challenges of fame, including a 2017 lawsuit against producers for allegedly prioritizing dramatic footage over her safety (Variety – Susan Aikens Lawsuit). Misinformation could further complicate their public personas.
The rumors about a Life Below Zero star dying are baseless. No cast member has passed away, and the confusion likely stems from the 2023 death of Jim Tweto from ‘Flying Wild Alaska’. As of April 2025, Sue Aikens, Jessie Holmes, Chip, Agnes Hailstone, and other cast members are alive, continuing their remarkable lives in Alaska. The show’s cancellation after 23 seasons marks the end of an era, but fans can take comfort in knowing their favorite stars are safe. In an age of rapid information spread, verifying facts is more important than ever.
Stay tuned to TV Season & Spoilers for more updates and news.