What Happened to Jerry Benson on Moonshiners? Health Scare and Ongoing Legacy

The Discovery Channel’s Moonshiners has enthralled viewers since 2011 with its gritty portrayal of moonshine production in the Appalachian Mountains, and few embody the craft’s rugged authenticity like Jerry Benson. A skilled moonshiner from North Carolina, Jerry joined the show in 2019, captivating audiences with his expertise and partnership with Mike Cockrell. His deep-rooted connection to a trade that traces back to the 1700s Whiskey Rebellion has made him a fan favorite. However, a serious health scare in December 2021 left fans anxious, wondering about Jerry’s fate and his current status on the show. As Moonshiners continues into its 14th season in 2025, here’s a look at what happened to Jerry, his recovery, and his enduring role in the moonshine world.

Jerry Benson’s journey on Moonshiners began with the Season 9 episode “Back to the Woods,” aired in 2019, where he teamed up with Mike Cockrell to distill their signature spirits at a secluded mountain site. His mastery of moonshining, honed through years of hands-on experience, quickly made him a standout. Jerry appeared in 27 episodes, including the Season 10 episode “Backwoods Bonanza” in April 2021, and has since racked up over 80 appearances by 2025, per IMDb. His work extends beyond the show, as he founded the Maggie Valley Still Company, crafting custom copper stills, and appears at events like the Appalachian Moonshine, Music, and Makers Festival. Yet, it was a life-threatening health crisis that shifted focus from his craft to his survival.

In December 2021, Jerry was rushed to a hospital in Asheville, North Carolina, battling severe high blood pressure, as reported by TV Star Bio. His girlfriend, Keira Crane, took to social media to confirm she was traveling from Indiana to be by his side, amplifying fans’ concern. Mike Cockrell, his business partner, shared a grim update on the show, saying, “Something is definitely going wrong with the mind, with the brain. Jerry is in pretty rough shape right now.” He described Jerry’s condition as dire, with symptoms including vomiting, sweating, and weakness in his left arm, compounded by internal bleeding in his brain. “His blood pressure was at a stage where he should be dead,” Mike added, underscoring the severity.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a silent but deadly condition affecting millions. Left untreated, it can restrict blood flow to the brain, leading to strokes, heart attacks, aneurysms, or even dementia, according to medical statistics. For Jerry, the diagnosis was a wake-up call. Hooked up to IVs and machines, he faced a grueling ordeal as doctors worked to stabilize him. Mike, ever hopeful, expressed his support: “I always try to hope for the best. I just hope he gets better.” The incident, captured in part on Moonshiners, highlighted the personal stakes behind the show’s rugged exterior, resonating with viewers who saw Jerry as more than a moonshiner but a relatable figure facing human fragility.

By early 2022, Jerry’s recovery became a beacon of hope. He returned home, as confirmed by a January 2022 Reality Titbit report, and resumed his active lifestyle, sharing updates on his Facebook page, Moonshiner Jerry. “I’m doing pretty good,” he posted, acknowledging the “scary process” but expressing gratitude for his recovery. He was back to hobbies like camping, attending music festivals, and watching races, often going live to connect with fans. A month after his hospital stay, he embarked on a camping trip, and on the show, he called Mike from the hospital, his spirits high despite the ordeal. Now on blood pressure medication, Jerry has regained his vigor, continuing to appear on Moonshiners through Season 14, including the 2024 episode “Boldest Bootleg.”

Jerry’s ongoing presence on the show, coupled with his legal distilling work with Tennessee Shine Company, suggests he remains a key figure in the Moonshiners universe. However, his moonshining outside legal channels carries risks. In a 2021 interview with WHKP, Jerry acknowledged the legal tightrope, noting unverified reports of past run-ins with authorities alongside Mike. While no recent arrests have been confirmed as of August 2025, the duo’s illicit activities keep them under scrutiny. The show’s delayed airing—filming in spring and broadcasting months later—helps shield them from prosecution, as does the remote Appalachian setting, but the threat of law enforcement looms large.

Fans remain captivated by Jerry’s resilience, both in health and craft. His recovery mirrors the tenacity that defines moonshiners, who face not only legal risks but physical dangers like still explosions, as seen in a Season 7 near-miss with another moonshiner. Jerry’s story, amplified by his 2021 appearance on Master Distiller and his Maggie Valley Still Company, underscores his commitment to preserving a fading tradition. As he told the Hay Now Podcast in 2022, moonshining is “part of who we are.” For now, Jerry is back, healthier and still distilling, but the specter of his health scare and the law reminds fans that his journey is as precarious as the craft itself.