How many stars of 'The Curse of Oak Island' have died? A look at treasure hunters who lost their lives on Nova Scotia island
NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA: The search for the elusive riches that are supposedly hidden beneath Oak Island continues in 'The Curse of Oak Island' Season 11. With the new season premiering, we try to provide as many answers as possible about the ultimate treasure hunt.
Although the theories about the buried treasure are entertaining to consider, the treasure-seeking has frequently resulted in disappointment. But it hasn't prevented people from tuning in for the past ten seasons.
As the hypotheses pile up and the treasure search proceeds, several cast members have died before seeing the results of their labor. Some estimate that as many as 14 people have died in the quest for the treasure, but the network is aware of at least six.
Here are several 'The Curse of Oak Island' stars you may not have known died.
First death on Oak Island
The first death on Oak Island occurred in 1861, when a mechanical drainage pump exploded, killing an unknown employee of the Oak Island Association.
Chris Donah died few days before his 55th birthday
Chris Donah was featured in an episode of 'The Curse of Oak Island' in 2019, but his day job was teaching at AA Kingston Middle School in Potsdam, New York. Chris believed that astronomy may provide some answers to the island's numerous riddles.
Most of what he knew about the island and its secrets he learnt by reading forums, long before social media was extensively used. Chris originally submitted his astronomical ideas to the show's producers in 2016, and he shot for an episode at the time. But his part was never shown.
A few years later, he was contacted and videotaped for an episode titled 'Seismic Matters' that aired as part of Season 6.
Despite the fact that the show has acknowledged Chris's death, there has been no official report on the reason for his death. There is also no information about any relatives or friends he may have left behind. Chris starred in 'The Curse of Oak Island', but he wasn't exactly a household name.
Following the airing of Chris's memorial as part of a 2021 episode, several fans expressed their feelings regarding Chris.
Maynard Kaiser fell to his death
On March 26, 1897, a worker named Maynard Kaiser died as a result of an unintentional fall.
Four lives were lost in 1959
In 1959, four people were killed in the same incident when Robert Restall, an operations manager, entered one of the 200 boreholes he and his crew had drilled. Unfortunately, he collided with a pocket of poisonous gas (perhaps naturally occurring hydrogen sulfide) and passed out.
Robert's son and three coworkers, Cyril Hiltz, Karl Graeser, and Andy DeMont, entered the building to save him, but only the latter survived.
Fred Nolan was a licensed land surveyor
Fred Nolan had a very minor role on the show, but he was just as enthusiastic about treasure hunting as anybody else. According to his obituary, he lived a long and full life and died at the ripe old age of 89.
His wife Ora, son Thomas, brother Frank, three nieces, a nephew, and two grandchildren survive him.
According to his obituary, Fred was a professional land surveyor and one of the first in Nova Scotia at the time. He was enthralled by the history and legends of Oak Island.
When he began studying Spanish maps, he was bitten by the treasure-hunting bug, and he spent over five decades scouring the island along with other treasure hunters. He didn't spend much time in front of the camera, but he was a crucial counsel behind the scenes.
Drake Tester died when he was just 16
Drake Tester didn't appear on the program often, but he left an impression on the cast and crew. He appeared more often in a few Season 3 episodes, as well as in some other preserved videos.
He was the son of Craig Tester, co-star Marty Lagina's long-time business partner. His stepbrother is Craig's other son (by marriage), prospector Jack Begley, who isn't afraid to get dirty in order to uncover the riches everyone is looking for.
Drake's death is one of the saddest (so far) among the 'The Curse of Oak Island' cast members, as he was just 16 years old when he died, according to his obituary. Drake had a seizure issue since infancy, according to 9 and 10 News.
His death was caused by the condition in the spring of 2017. He is remembered lovingly by his Traverse City Central High School instructors and classmates for "his smile and his energy", as well as his distinctive capabilities, such as his beatboxing abilities.
During the Season 5 premiere of 'The Curse of Oak Island,' Craig broke the news of Drake's death to the Lagina brothers via video conference.
Dan Blankenship died at 95
Dan Blankenship died in the spring of 2019. He was 95 at the time, so he had obviously had a long and rich life.
Dan has been one of the show's most significant characters since its debut. Shortly after his death, the cast and crew staged a moving memorial ceremony in his honor near Borehole 10-X. This is Dan's most spectacular discovery in his more than 60 years of treasure hunting on the island.
Dan's daughter Linda Flowers and son Dave survive him. Dan was a Florida contractor who grew interested in the concept of discovering wealth on a faraway island after reading about it in 'Reader's Digest'.
The exciting new season of 'The Curse of Oak Island' will premiere on November 7, 2023, with new episodes airing on Tuesdays at 9 pm ET on History.