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Search ends for second boater missing in crash that killed Wicked Tuna captain in OBX

After they were reported missing on Sunday, the bodies of Capt. Charlie “Griff” Griffin, who appeared on seasons two through five of Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks, and his dog Leila were found along the shore after an apparent boating mishap. The other boater, 36-year-old Chad Dunn, has not been found.
U.S. Coast Guard
After they were reported missing on Sunday, the bodies of Capt. Charlie “Griff” Griffin, who appeared on seasons two through five of Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks, and his dog Leila were found along the shore after an apparent boating mishap. The other boater, 36-year-old Chad Dunn, has not been found.

The Coast Guard suspended the search for a missing boater off the coast of Oregon Inlet Tuesday night.

After they were reported missing on Sunday, the bodies of Capt. Charlie “Griff” Griffin, who appeared on seasons two through five of Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks, and his dog Leila were found along the shore after an apparent boating mishap. The other boater, 36-year-old Chad Dunn, has not been found.

The boat Jay’s Goodrun from Falmouth, Massachusetts was found wrecked in the surf at Pea Island.
U.S. Coast Guard
The boat Jay’s Goodrun from Falmouth, Massachusetts was found wrecked in the surf at Pea Island.

The boat Jay’s Goodrun from Falmouth, Massachusetts was found wrecked in the surf at Pea Island.

Coast guard officials say the boaters departed from Virginia Beach and were on the way to Pirate’s Cove Marina in Manteo for repairs.

Crews searched for Hunt for 41 hours and covered about 400 miles by air, sea and on shore.

Drone footage of the beach boat.
National Park Service
Drone footage of the beach boat.

At the time the pair were reported missing, the visibility was a little over half a mile, seas at 4-6 feet, and wind 10-15 knots.

North Carolina Fish and Wildlife will conduct an investigation into the incident.

Annette is an award-winning journalist based in Eastern North Carolina. Her career includes professional stops across the Midwest, Pacific Northwest, and Southeast, recently culminating in a 2026 Region 8 Edward R. Murrow Award for Small Market Radio Best News Series for her work on the Camp Lejeune Justice Act Series. Guided by a passion for human-interest storytelling, she focuses on narratives that touch hearts and connect communities. A mother of four and grandmother of two, Annette enjoys reading and creating epic Halloween costumes in her spare time. If you have a story idea to share, please reach out by email to westona@cravencc.edu.