Former American Pickers host Frank Fritz who died earlier this week spent his last days partially paralyzed and bedbound.
The 60-year-old died on Monday night in hospice care in Davenport, Iowa, after suffering years of declining health, which triggered his departure from the hit show in 2021.
The reality star suffered a stroke in his Iowa home in 2022, with a source close to Fritz telling The Sun that his health had been getting worse in recent times.
According to the anonymous source, Fritz was left unable to move the right side of his body.
They said: He has been bad since the stroke and he had been getting worse. He needed 24-hour care. There was no way he was getting better. He was in a home.
The 60-year-old died on Monday night in hospice care in Davenport, Iowa , after years of his health declining since he left the show in 2021
According to the anonymous source, Fritz was left unable to move the right side of his body. The last post made by a close friend shows the star clutching her hand
The outlet previously reported that Fritz had been left wheelchair-bound and had to have a ramp installed outside of his farmhouse.
A source told the outlet last year that he could walk to some degree but required a wheelchair to travel any long distances.
In August of 2022 a conservatorship and guardianship was filed in the weeks after his stroke.
Court documents said: Mr. Fritz’s decision-making capacity is so impaired that he is unable to care for his own safety or to provide for necessities such as food, shelter, clothing, or medical care without which physical injury or illness may occur.
MidWestOne Bank was appointed Fritz conservator and his friend Chris Davis as his guardian.
The antiques expert starred on the show from its launch in 2010 alongside co-host Mike Wolfe, before exiting in 2021 due to his health issues.
Together, Fritz and Wolfe traveled the United States in search of rare and interesting antiques and collectibles.
Wolfe had been at his bedside when he passed, posting in a touching tribute: It’s with a broken heart that I share with all of you that Frank passed away last night.
A source told the outlet last year that he could walk to some degree but required the wheelchair to travel any long distances
Together, Fritz and Wolfe traveled the United States in search of rare and interesting antiques and collectibles
Who would have ever dreamed we would share the cockpit of a white cargo van in front of millions of people interested in our adventures.
Before the show we would take off together to places we never knew existed with no destination in mind and just the shared passion to discover something interesting and historic.
We’ve been on countless trips and shared so many miles and I feel blessed that I was there by his side when he took one last journey home. I love you buddy and will miss you so much I know your in a better place
Fritz co-star Danielle Colby also posed a tribute for the late star, writing: Frank, I will miss your ability to make everyone laugh, your love for talking tattoos, your epic collections but what I will miss the most are those little glimpses of vulnerability from time to time.
Frank, you loved your cat and your momma and we bonded on those things. You will be missed for all of these reasons and so many more. Rest in Peace Road Dog.
I love you buddy and will miss you so much I know your in a better place, said Wolfe. They are seen in 2015
Robbie Wolfe, who replaced Fritz on the show, also honored his memory following his death.
He wrote: Its with a heavy heart I’m sad to say my friend Frank Fritz has passed away last night.
You all knew him from TV. But I knew him from traveling, fishing and family. He was the godfather to my twin girls. His smile was contagious and his laughter will be missed.
Most of all just time sitting in a fishing boat talking about life. I know you’re in a better place... Love you buddy hope you catch the big one until we see each other in heaven hold the boat steady.