Tragic Losses in the World of Moonshiners: Remembering the Cast Members Who Passed Away
Tragic Losses in the World of Moonshiners: Remembering the Cast Members Who Passed Away
Appalachia, Various States – September 14, 2025 – The Discovery Channel’s Moonshiners, a docudrama series that has captivated audiences since its premiere on December 6, 2011, offers a gritty glimpse into the clandestine world of illegal moonshine production across the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Produced by Magilla Entertainment, the show follows intrepid distillers as they craft high-proof liquor, evade law enforcement, and preserve a centuries-old tradition of bootlegging. With 14 seasons under its belt as of 2025, Moonshiners has built a massive fanbase, spawning spin-offs like Tickle, Moonshiners: Master Distiller, and Moonshiners: Smoke Ring. However, like many reality series chronicling high-risk lifestyles, it has been marred by tragedy. Several cast members and key figures tied to the show’s legacy have passed away, leaving fans heartbroken and the production community in mourning. These losses highlight the dangers of the moonshining trade—explosive stills, health issues exacerbated by demanding work, and the toll of illegal operations on personal lives.
While Moonshiners emphasizes the thrill of the chase and the artistry of distillation, it also underscores the perils: federal laws against untaxed liquor production carry severe penalties, and the physical and emotional strains can be fatal. Virginia authorities have repeatedly clarified that the show is dramatized and no actual illegal activity occurs on camera, yet the cast’s real-world stories often blur those lines. Below, we detail the known deaths associated with the series, drawing from official statements, family announcements, and media reports. Note that Marvin “Popcorn” Sutton, while not a formal cast member, is included due to his profound influence on the show’s inception and ongoing narrative.
Marvin “Popcorn” Sutton: The Legendary Inspiration (2009)
Marvin Sutton, affectionately known as “Popcorn” for a infamous bar brawl involving a popcorn machine, was the spiritual godfather of Moonshiners. Hailing from Maggie Valley, North Carolina, Sutton embodied the Appalachian moonshiner archetype. His life story inspired the series after documentary filmmaker Neal Hutcheson featured him in early 2000s projects like Mountain Talk (2002) and This Is the Last Damn Run of Liquor I’ll Ever Make (2007), which chronicled his illegal operations. An edited version, The Last One, aired on PBS in 2008 and won a Southeast Emmy, catching the eye of TV producers.
Sutton’s autobiography, Me and My Likker (published 2009), and his hands-on methods—welding stills from scrap, hauling 100-pound sugar sacks through rugged terrain—cemented his icon status. However, his brazen defiance of the law led to repeated clashes with authorities. Arrested in 1974 for selling untaxed liquor, he dodged jail with probation. In 2007, a property fire uncovered over 600 gallons of moonshine, leading to another arrest for illegal distillation and firearm possession as a felon. Sentenced to 18 years in federal prison in 2009, Sutton faced additional strain from a recent cancer diagnosis.
On March 16, 2009, at age 62, Sutton died by suicide via carbon monoxide poisoning in his car near Parrotsville, Tennessee. His wife, Pam, discovered the body after chores. Pam attributed the act partly to the impending incarceration, stating, “He could not go to prison; his mind would just not accept it. So credit the federal government for my husband being dead, I really do.” Though predating the show’s debut, Sutton’s legacy lives on; cast members like Mark Ramsey and Digger Manes often credit him and partner Jim Tom Hedrick for their techniques. Posthumously, Pam partnered with Hank Williams Jr. in 2010 to launch Popcorn Sutton’s Tennessee White Whiskey under J.M. Concepts LLC, keeping his craft alive legally.
Lance Waldroup: The Adventurous Young Distiller (2021)
Lance Waldroup burst onto Moonshiners in Season 2 (2012) alongside his father, Jeff, a veteran bootlegger from North Carolina. The father-son duo appeared through Season 6 (2018), with Lance’s infectious energy and experimental recipes—like high-proof absinthe and scotch—winning over fans. At just 21 when he joined, Lance’s funky personality and reliance on Jeff’s guidance made them a highlight of the early seasons. He left the show in 2019 to care for his mother, Lynn Cope, who was battling multiple sclerosis, which left the family financially strained amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tragically, on February 25, 2021, Lance died at age 30 in Robbinsville, North Carolina. His mother found him unconscious in bed; emergency responders pronounced him dead on arrival. The official cause was congestive heart failure, complicated by cardiomyopathy and obesity (Lance weighed around 580 pounds). No foul play was suspected. Lance’s personal struggles added layers to his story: He lost two siblings, Lindsay and Lamar, to cystic fibrosis, fueling survivor’s guilt that led to years of drug addiction. He entered rehab, got clean by 2020, and became a recovered addict, but the emotional toll persisted.
Discovery mourned him as “an adventurous distiller who was always looking to take his flavorful recipes of moonshine to new heights.” With Jeff unemployed due to the pandemic, the family launched a GoFundMe for burial costs, raising funds for a proper send-off. Fans speculated his exit from the show tied to health issues, but his mother emphasized his recovery efforts. Lance’s absence in later seasons sparked theories, but his legacy endures as a symbol of the younger generation’s bold spirit in moonshining.
Jim Tom Hedrick: The Master Distiller and Storyteller (2023)
Jim Tom Hedrick, a legendary figure with over 50 years in the trade, joined Moonshiners in Season 2 and appeared through Season 6. Known for his expertise in rye liquor and copper still-building, Hedrick was hailed as “one of the most skilled moonshiners in Appalachia today.” His bio described him as a “master storyteller and still maker,” passing knowledge to newcomers like Digger Manes and Mark Ramsey, who credited him and Sutton for their success. Fans adored his folksy wisdom and “white lightning” recipes.
Hedrick transitioned to legitimacy post-show, partnering with Manes and Mark Ramsey to found Sugarlands Distilling Company in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, producing legal versions of his signature unaged rye. On September 6, 2023, at age 82, he died from kidney cancer. Discovery stated, “Jim Tom Hedrick was a treasured member of the Moonshiners family,” while Sugarlands noted his “well-earned reputation as one of the most skilled moonshiners in the South.” His death prompted an outpouring of tributes, emphasizing his role in bridging illegal traditions with modern craft distilling.
Kenny Law: The Third-Generation Traditionalist (2025)
Everett “Kenny” Law, a Franklin County, Virginia native and third-generation distiller, joined Moonshiners in Season 8 (2018). Raised making shine with cousin Henry under uncle Amos Law—a renowned outlaw—Kenny brought authenticity and calm expertise to the screen, often collaborating with Tickle (Steven Ray Tickle). His deep knowledge of Appalachian methods made him a fan favorite and “true moonshine legend,” as fellow cast member Amanda Bryant eulogized.
On January 14, 2025, Kenny passed away peacefully at age 68, surrounded by loved ones, as announced by Law’s Choice Distillery (his legal moonshine operation with Henry). No official cause was disclosed, though reports suggest heart issues contributed. He is survived by daughter Kenzie Wright, son-in-law Nathan, and grandsons Atlas and Fox. Discovery’s tribute read: “We’re deeply saddened about Kenny Law’s passing. He was a treasured member of our Moonshiners community since season eight.” Kenny enjoyed fan interactions and left a mark through his distillery, embodying Franklin County’s “moonshine capital” heritage.
