Jesse Goins (1960–2020): Gold Rush Star from Montana, Cause of Death, Family & Legacy

Jesse Goins was a prospector and equipment operator who appeared on Gold Rush: Dave Turin’s Lost Mine beginning in 2019. Prior to joining the show, he worked independently in Montana, where he introduced Dave Turin to a potential mining site at Grasshopper Creek. He later became the gold room operator on the series, a role in which he remained until his unexpected passing during filming in 2020.

Early Life and Background

Jesse Goins was born on February 23, 1960, and was from Dillon, Montana, where he lived with his wife and children. While specific details of his early years remain private, Jesse’s life was shaped by values of hard work, faith, and compassion. He spent years prospecting for gold across the region and earned respect in Montana’s small-scale mining community well before his television debut.

In the period leading up to his passing, Jesse Goins participated in early-morning prayer and scripture study sessions with members of the mining crew, including Dave Turin. A Facebook post by his brother Larry Goins, shared shortly after Jesse’s death, mentioned that Jesse had recently committed to Christianity.

Jesse was also a devoted family man, survived by his wife Rhenda Goins, his sons Anthony, Josh, and Kevin Goins, and his brother Larry Goins. He also had grandchildren from his son Anthony and daughter-in-law Chayla Pocha. He was remembered by family and colleagues for his humility and willingness to support those around him, both in personal and work settings.

Grasshopper Creek and the Beginning of Gold Rush

In 2018, he introduced Dave Turin to a mining claim he was working in Grasshopper Creek, Montana—a historically gold-rich area. Dave was struck not only by the potential of the site but by Jesse’s discipline, character, and knowledge of placer mining techniques. That meeting led to Jesse being invited to join Dave’s team as the gold room operator—a pivotal role in any mining operation.

Television Career: Gold Rush: Dave Turin’s Lost Mine

Jesse made his first appearance in Season 1 of Lost Mine (2019) and quickly became a vital part of the team. His job was to manage the gold recovery process—specifically running the gold room, where gold is separated from heavy concentrates through a careful process involving mats, pans, and chemical treatment. His consistency and attention to detail played a key role in the team’s cleanouts.

Over the seasons, Jesse was also seen operating machinery, driving rock trucks, and assisting with camp logistics. He wasn’t just a gold room guy—he was a team player who brought calm energy, stability, and moral strength.

Final Episode and Sudden Passing in 2020

On August 18, 2020, during the filming of Season 3 at the Box Creek mine site in Colorado, Jesse Goins had one of his proudest days on set. He had just broken fellow miner KC’s record for the most rock truck loads in a single shift—a milestone that underscored both his dedication and his growing skillset beyond the gold room. His teammates celebrated the achievement with him on camera, highlighting how respected and admired he had become within the team.

However, later that day, things took a devastating turn. Jesse collapsed near the gold room. When Nathan Clark went to check in on him, he found Jesse unresponsive. What followed was a frantic response—Nathan immediately called out a “no-duff” (code for a real emergency), and crew members initiated CPR while waiting for medical assistance. An ambulance arrived shortly after, but Jesse was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. The coroner confirmed the cause as a massive heart attack. He was 60 years old.

The moment the crew learned of Jesse’s passing was captured in the episode titled “Good Man Down,” which aired in 2021. In it, viewers witnessed the raw emotions of the team as they were informed by Dave Turin of Jesse’s death. Dave shared the coroner’s findings and assured the crew that they had done everything they could to save him. The emotional weight of the moment underscored how deeply Jesse had touched those around him.

In the episode, Jason Sanchez reflected, “He was the most humble, genuinely good person I’ve ever met,” while other crew members described Jesse as the heart of the team—someone who found meaning in their mission and, in turn, gave their work meaning too. The rest of the season was dedicated in Jesse’s honor, with the team vowing to finish strong and share the gold proceeds with Jesse’s family.

The official Discovery UK YouTube video titled “The Moment The Crew Learned of Jesse Goins’ Passing” (published June 9, 2021) offers a powerful companion to this episode, showing exactly how much Jesse meant to the people who worked alongside him.

Tributes from Fellow Cast Members

Jesse Goins’ passing left a lasting impact on his fellow cast members and production team. In the days that followed, several crew members shared heartfelt tributes on Facebook, expressing their shock, grief, and admiration for Jesse.

KC Morgan wrote:

“To you Jesse… I will miss our adventures together over years. You were a great friend and a inspiration. We had a lot of laughs and a lot of fun. I’ll miss working with you in the gold room or seeing you kick ass in that haul truck. Thanks for being kind to my wife and son when they would come up to visit. None of this feels real and can’t believe you’re gone. You will be missed by all of us. Your friend KC. Rip brother.”

Nathan Clark (TrenchMedias) posted:

“I’m truly lost for words right now. We lost the man that I trusted with my future and my kid’s future. Jesse Goins was the kindest soul you could ever have met. Jesse would give up his meal for the man next to him that was not as hungry. He was that man… He was the funniest man in times of need. Jesse kept #TeamTurin going always. The world needs people like Jesse. I know he’s in heaven running double lines of gold down that table that overflows his cups. He was so fun to take pictures of. I have hugged, laughed, and cried with Jesse. He was friend and brother to me. I called him my little leprechaun because he always got that gold so clean. I love you always Jesse! #dtlm #rip #brother”

Dave Turin shared:

“I apologize for not posting sooner, however this has been a very difficult time. Jesse is a man that I loved and respected. I was the first to find him after his heart attack and worked hard to bring him back to our world. God had another plan, and someday I will see him again in Heaven. Love you Jesse, see you soon.”

These tributes echo a common theme—Jesse’s kindness, quiet strength, and the brotherhood he cultivated with those around him.