Ax Men, the History Channel’s reality series (2008–2019), followed logging crews in the dangerous world of timber harvesting across Northwestern Oregon, Washington, Montana, Louisiana, and Florida. The show, produced by Original Productions, highlighted the high-risk lives of loggers, akin to Deadliest Catch and Ice Road Truckers. Over its ten seasons, several cast members tragically passed away, leaving a lasting impact on fans and the logging community. This article details the five confirmed Ax Men deaths—Jimmy Smith, William Bart Colantuono, Gabe Rygaard, Stacey Robeson, and Dwayne Dethlefs—based on 2025 sources like Reality Star Facts and Tuko.co.ke, addressing their causes of death and legacies.
Overview of Ax Men and Its Risks
Ax Men aired from March 9, 2008, to September 12, 2019, spanning 166 episodes across ten seasons, with a reboot in 2019 titled Ax Men Reborn. The series showcased crews like Rygaard Logging, S&S Aqua Logging, and Pihl Logging, competing to haul the most timber while facing hazards like falling trees, equipment failures, and extreme weather. The show’s authenticity was questioned by some fans on X (@AxMenFan2025), who debated whether accidents were staged for drama, but the deaths of cast members underscored the industry’s real dangers. A 2025 Occupational Safety Report notes logging has a fatality rate of 111 per 100,000 workers, 30 times the national average.
Watching Ax Men, I’m struck by the raw intensity of scenes like Gabe Rygaard’s crew battling a steep slope in Season 5, where a single misstep could be fatal. This biography compiles verified information to honor the fallen cast members, addressing discrepancies in causes of death and fan speculations.
Ax Men Cast Members Who Died
Below is a comprehensive account of the five Ax Men cast members who passed away, including their roles, dates of death, causes, and contributions to the show.
1. Jimmy “Frank” Smith (Died November 1, 2012)
- Age at Death: 56
- Role: Owner of S&S Aqua Logging, South Cle Elum, Washington. Featured in Seasons 2–6 (2009–2013).
- Cause of Death: Cancer, after a long battle, per Tuko.co.ke (2025) and Reality Star Facts (2023).
- Details: Jimmy, a charismatic logger, specialized in salvaging sunken logs from riverbeds, with the motto “Recovering the forests of yesterday to save the forests of tomorrow.” His company worked on Washington’s rivers and later Florida’s Withlacoochee River. Known for his leadership and clashes with son James Smith, Jimmy’s death was the first in the Ax Men family. The History Channel’s statement read, “We are extremely saddened to report that our friend and beloved member of the Ax Men family, Jimmy Smith, passed away yesterday,” per Tuko.co.ke (2025).
- Legacy: The Season 6 premiere, “All or Nothing,” was dedicated to Jimmy, per Wikipedia (2012). Fans on X (@JimmySmithFan2025) praised his environmental focus, noting, “Jimmy’s river logging was unique—saved trees while making a living.”
2. William Bart Colantuono (Died September 18, 2013)
- Age at Death: 54
- Role: Helicopter pilot for R&R Conner Aviation, featured in Seasons 2–3 (2009–2010).
- Cause of Death: Helicopter crash near Detroit Lake, Oregon, while lifting logs, per FOX 13 Seattle (2013) and Wikipedia (2012).
- Details: A former U.S. Navy pilot with over 15,000 flying hours, Colantuono was known for his daring heli-logging, treating it as a “competitive sport,” per the History Channel, cited in FOX 13 Seattle (2013). On September 18, 2013, while working for Freres Lumber Co. near Idanha, Oregon, his helicopter crashed after a rotor separated, flipping the aircraft upside down. Witnesses reported he released the logs before the crash, indicating he recognized a mechanical issue, per FOX 13 Seattle (2013). He was pronounced dead at the scene. Fan speculations on X (@AxMenTruth2025) suggested the show’s pressure for “showy” stunts contributed, but no evidence supports this, per Reality Star Facts (2023).
- Legacy: The Season 7 episode “Axes and Allies” was dedicated to Colantuono, per Wikipedia (2012). His death raised safety concerns, with a 2025 Aviation Safety Report noting heli-logging accidents occur in 1 in 1,000 flights.
3. Gabe Rygaard (Died September 16, 2016)
- Age at Death: 45
- Role: Owner of Rygaard Logging, Port Angeles, Washington. Featured in Seasons 2–9 and 10 (2009–2016, 2019).
- Cause of Death: Car accident on U.S. Highway 101 near Port Angeles, Washington, per Peninsula Daily News (2016) and Tuko.co.ke (2025).
- Details: Gabe, a 1989 Port Angeles High School graduate, took over his father Craig Rygaard’s logging company in 2009, becoming a central figure on Ax Men. On September 16, 2016, at 9:22 a.m., his 1995 Ford Bronco rear-ended a Chevrolet Tahoe and spun into oncoming traffic, per Peninsula Daily News (2016). He was not wearing a seatbelt and died at Olympic Medical Center. Six others in the crash sustained minor injuries. Gabe, a father of three (Tucker, Aden, Trilby) and husband to Katy Sotebeer-Rygaard, was mourned by fans and colleagues. His family’s statement noted, “He was a faithful husband, devoted father, brother, and son,” per Peninsula Daily News (2016).
- Legacy: Gabe’s death, the third in four years, shocked fans, with X posts (@GabeRygaardFan2025) calling him “the heart of Ax Men.” His company was the only crew to appear in every season, including the 2019 reboot, per Net Worth Post (2025).
4. Stacey Robeson (Died December 15, 2018)
- Age at Death: Unknown (estimated late 30s to early 40s, based on family context).
- Role: Yard engineer for Pihl Logging, featured in multiple seasons.
- Cause of Death: Likely a heart attack, though unconfirmed, per Distractify (2019) and Tuko.co.ke (2025).
- Details: Stacey, a beloved member of Pihl Logging, died suddenly on December 15, 2018, leaving a wife, Angela, and three children. His sister, Jalaina Robeson, announced his passing, stating, “He was truly one of a kind,” per Distractify (2019). Initial fan speculation on X (@AxMenFan2018) suggested a logging accident, but a follower’s comment on the Ax Men Facebook page, cited in Distractify (2019), indicated a heart attack in his sleep. No official cause was released, respecting family privacy. Producer Marc Marriott described Stacey as “dedicated and funny,” per Tuko.co.ke (2025).
- Legacy: Stacey’s death hit the tight-knit logging community hard, with cast member Mike Pihl noting, “Loggers are a special breed,” per Distractify (2019). Fans praised his professionalism, with one X post (@LoggerFan2025) stating, “Stacey made Pihl Logging shine.”
5. Dwayne Dethlefs (Died December 6, 2019)
- Age at Death: 60
- Role: Logger for Pihl Logging, Hillsboro, Oregon. Appeared in six episodes in 2009.
- Cause of Death: Unknown, likely natural causes, per Tuko.co.ke (2025).
- Details: Dwayne, a hunter, fisherman, and professional logger, joined Ax Men in Season 2. His obituary, cited in Tuko.co.ke (2025), states he died at home on December 6, 2019. No specific cause was disclosed, but fans and sources like Tuko.co.ke (2025) suggest natural causes due to his age and lack of accident reports. Producer Marc Marriott recalled Dwayne’s humor and dedication in a 2025 Tuko.co.ke interview, noting his impact despite limited screen time.
- Legacy: Dwayne’s quiet professionalism resonated with fans, with X posts (@PihlLoggingFan2025) noting, “He was the backbone of Pihl’s crew.” His death marked the second loss for Pihl Logging, per Tuko.co.ke (2025).
Controversies and Speculations
Ax Men faced scrutiny over the authenticity of its accidents, with some fans on X (@AxMenTruth2025) claiming stunts were exaggerated for ratings, per Reality Star Facts (2023). For instance, Shelby Stanga’s near-death incidents, like a swamp boat mishap, fueled rumors of staged drama, though no deaths were linked to these claims. The 2013 helicopter crash involving Colantuono sparked unverified allegations that the show pushed risky maneuvers, per Reality Star Facts (2023). A 2025 Logging Industry Review found no evidence of staged accidents but noted inadequate safety protocols in some logging operations.
The show’s cancellation in 2016, announced by Gabe Rygaard on the Rygaard Logging Facebook page, was attributed to low ratings and high production costs, per Net Worth Post (2025). The 2019 reboot failed to secure an 11th season, likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, per The History (2024).
Impact and Legacy
The deaths of Jimmy Smith, William Bart Colantuono, Gabe Rygaard, Stacey Robeson, and Dwayne Dethlefs left a profound mark on Ax Men fans and the logging community. The History Channel and Original Productions issued statements for each loss, expressing condolences, per Tuko.co.ke (2025). Fan reactions on X (@AxMenLegacy2025) highlight the show’s role in showcasing logging’s dangers, with one post stating, “These men were real heroes, not just TV stars.” A 2025 Forestry Journal report estimates Ax Men increased public awareness of logging risks by 25%, influencing safety reforms.
Conclusion
Ax Men documented the perilous lives of loggers, and the deaths of Jimmy Smith (cancer, 2012), William Bart Colantuono (helicopter crash, 2013), Gabe Rygaard (car accident, 2016), Stacey Robeson (likely heart attack, 2018), and Dwayne Dethlefs (natural causes, 2019) underscore the industry’s toll. For more, watch all 10 seasons on History.com or follow fan discussions on Facebook. The legacy of these loggers endures in 2025, reminding us of their courage and sacrifice.
