Life Below Zero Cast Deaths and Injuries: Tragedies, Accidents, and Health Struggles

Life in Alaska is not for the faint of heart, and Life Below Zero proves it with every episode. The show and its spin‑off Port Protection capture breathtaking wilderness moments—but behind the beauty lie real dangers that go far beyond television drama. Cast members have survived snowmachine crashes, life‑threatening infections, and brutal isolation. Some never made it back, while others carry lasting scars from the unforgiving environment. So who has the show lost, and what health struggles have shaped the lives of those still standing? Let’s take a closer look.

Passed Away

Gary Muehlberger (1945–2021)

Gary Muehlberger was more than just a cast member of Port Protection—he was its heart and soul. Born December 15, 1945, in Washington, Gary spent over four decades living in the Alaskan frontier, earning the nickname “The Village Elder” for his survival wisdom and humility. Viewers saw him with his loyal dog Trapper and aboard his century‑old fishing boat, the Margaret T, a vessel he trusted as much as his own instincts. “When they’re old like that, they’ve already proved themselves,” he once said proudly of the boat that mirrored his resilience.

Gary wasn’t only a fisherman; he was a neighbor and mentor, always sharing his catch and knowledge. From offering salmon at Jack’s Trading Post to ribbing friends about tomato crops, his generosity defined the spirit of Port Protection. He often said, “The community here takes care of each other. My mom always taught me to share with people, that it makes you feel good.”

His legacy includes memorable moments: carrying a deer out of the woods on his back at age 70 after his ATV broke down, joking about beer while shrimping, and humbly admitting, “The orca is a way better fisherman than me.” Friends like Curly Leach and Sam Carlson recall him as steadfast, funny, and one of the last of the old breed.

Tragically, on March 17, 2021, Gary’s home caught fire, believed to have started while he was working on his propane hot water tank. He died in the blaze, though Trapper survived. The community mourned deeply, with Sam Carlson reflecting, “Probably one of the last of the old breed,” and Mary Miller urging others to honor him by passing down his knowledge. The Life Below Zero team posted: “He was the heart and soul of Port Protection and a valuable member of our family. Gary was one of a kind and we will miss him dearly.”

Gary’s life was proof that in Port Protection, survival is built not just on skill, but on heart. His voice, humor, and spirit continue to ripple through the bay he called home.

Litzi “Cecilia Litzi Jovita” Botello (1958–2021)

Born November 22, 1958, in Norwalk, California, Litzi Botello’s path from artist to Alaskan survivalist was anything but ordinary. A trained polymer clay sculptor, she spent over two decades creating intricate aquatic-themed art before trading city life for the rugged solitude of Port Protection. There she found not only a home but also a way of life that demanded fearlessness and adaptability.

Litzi raised two sons in the Alaskan wilderness with her husband John Bean, embracing a lifestyle defined by self-reliance. Her resilience was even more remarkable considering she had lost one arm earlier in life. Despite that, she hunted, fished, and filleted with skill and confidence, earning admiration from neighbors and viewers alike. On the show, she was affectionately nicknamed “The One-Armed Mexican,” a title she wore with humor and strength.

Her life, however, was marked by profound personal loss. Both of her sons passed away young—Johnny in 2015 after a car accident at just 19, and Leland in 2017 at 26. Though Litzi rarely spoke of her grief on camera, her quiet perseverance spoke volumes, and fans came to respect her even more for the strength it took to carry on.

Litzi continued to contribute to the Port Protection community in countless ways, from helping install emergency phone lines decades earlier to sharing her knowledge with new residents. Her niece Veronica Arrants recalled, “She had a unique strength. Even when I was young, I could tell she wasn’t afraid of much, and I admired her for that.”

After a battle with ovarian cancer, Litzi died on June 25, 2021, at the age of 62. Her passing left a visible void in the community and on the show. Yet her legacy endures—in her art, her family’s memories, and in the lives of those she inspired with her grit, humor, and unshakable independence.

Litzi Botello’s story reminds us that life in Port Protection is not just about surviving the wilderness—it’s about living fully, creating beauty, and facing tragedy with courage.

Serious Injuries & Health Struggles

While only some cast members have died, others have had major health scares or injuries. Two of the more well‑documented cases:

Sue Aikens

In February 2015, Sue suffered one of the most harrowing moments of her life when her snowmachine flipped and threw her into the snow. She immediately heard bones snap, her collarbone breaking in half. The crash left her with multiple fractures, crushed joints in her shoulder, wrist, and elbow, and severe soft tissue damage. Evacuation was slow—two days to reach Fairbanks, then another three before surgeons could operate. In total, doctors used 14 screws, two titanium plates, surgical wire, and even bone grafts to reconstruct the damage.

The ordeal nearly ended her ability to run Kavik River Camp. For months she couldn’t lift more than ten pounds, push or pull with strength, or endure jarring activity for more than a few minutes. She later admitted the crash “absolutely taught me fear,” a striking admission from someone long seen as fearless. Complications like an allergy to titanium required further surgeries, and she had to relearn how to perform everyday tasks using her non‑dominant side. Financially, being sidelined put her camp lease at risk, and emotionally it forced her to face the limits of even her formidable resilience. Despite it all, she vowed: “Don’t count me out yet.”

Sue’s medical challenges didn’t end there. Later in 2015 she revealed on social media that she underwent another operation and took time away from the show to recover. In September 2020 she had spinal surgery and jokingly called herself “Sue 2.0” during recovery. Then, in January 2024, she told fans she was preparing for long‑overdue spinal fusion surgery to fix issues in her cervical spine. On February 8, 2024, surgeons performed discectomies and laminectomies on multiple vertebrae. Weeks later, she underwent targeted injections in her lumbar (L1–L5) and sacral spine. By February 21, she posted photos of her surgical scars and explained that an old bear‑bite wound became infected during recovery but was successfully treated. Through it all, she expressed pride in her healing progress and gratitude for the support she received, even noting that National Geographic had sent flowers ahead of her operation.

On July 12, 2024, Sue revealed on Instagram that her mother had passed away. In a deeply personal post, she described her mother as one of the most intelligent and formidable women she had ever known, someone whose choices and resilience had profoundly shaped her own life. She wrote with humor and tenderness, recalling private jokes about coffee and kitchen gadgets, and admitted that even in her mother’s final days she felt encouraged by her presence. Sue spoke of keeping the coffee on as if waiting for her mother’s spirit to visit, a gesture that captured both grief and affection. The loss underscored yet another personal trial for Sue, coming on top of years of surgeries and physical hardship, and revealed how family bonds continued to shape her strength and outlook on life.

Andy Bassich

In late 2018, Andy Bassich’s life in the Alaskan wilderness took a dangerous turn. While trying to free a snowmachine stuck in deep snow, he severely injured his hip. What initially seemed like a painful accident quickly escalated into something much worse: Andy developed two serious infections, one in the muscle and another in the bone, which he later admitted had “almost killed” him.

Because Alaska’s local medical facilities couldn’t provide the level of care he needed, Andy left for Florida to undergo treatment. His girlfriend, Denise Becker—a trauma nurse—was by his side throughout the ordeal. He spent about six months there recovering, far from his home in Calico Bluff.

When Andy finally returned to Alaska, he walked with crutches and faced the reality of resuming his remote lifestyle while still healing. Everyday tasks like maintaining his home and caring for his dogs became much harder. He openly acknowledged the challenge of adjusting to new physical limitations, but he also spoke about determination and the need to rebuild both his strength and his independence. The experience reshaped not only his body but also his outlook on survival in the bush.

Jessie Holmes

On September 28, 2022, Jessie Holmes—musher, fisherman, and Life Below Zero cast member—was seriously injured in a utility task vehicle (UTV) accident while volunteering in Golovin, Alaska. He had traveled there with fellow Iditarod mushers Brent Sass, Jeff Deeter, and Richie Beattie to help residents recover from devastating flooding caused by Typhoon Merbok.

According to the community’s fundraising page and local news coverage, debris collapsed on him while he was working, leaving him with multiple injuries: a fractured wrist, broken ribs, damage to his other arm, and internal trauma. He was flown by emergency medevac first to Nome for evaluation, and then to Anchorage for surgery, where doctors confirmed that his collarbone was broken and required surgical repair.

At the time of the accident, Jessie did not have health insurance. Supporters quickly organized a GoFundMe campaign, which raised $47,886 before closing—evidence of the widespread support he enjoyed from fans and fellow Alaskans. Jessie later shared a heartfelt message on Facebook from his hospital bed, thanking everyone for the love, prayers, and support, and calling the three mushers who helped save him “brothers for life.” He wrote that his main goal was to recover and get back to his kennel while also asking people to keep supporting the villages hit hardest by the storm.

Despite the severity of his injuries, Jessie committed himself to recovery and returned to training with his dog team the following year. His determination to keep racing underscored the resilience that has always defined his life both on and off the trail.

Broader Context & Reflection

These episodes underscore several truths about the lives portrayed in Life Below Zero / Port Protection:

1. Extreme Environments + Delayed Access to Care
   Alaska’s frontier is beautiful but perilous. Cast members often live hundreds of miles from the nearest hospital, and even basic injuries can turn life‑threatening when medevac flights are grounded by blizzards or poor visibility. Sue Aikens waited days for surgery after her snowmachine crash, and Andy Bassich had to leave the state entirely to receive proper care. This reality highlights how survival in the bush is as much about logistics and planning as it is about toughness.
2. Resilience and Adaptation
   Life in these conditions demands constant adjustment. Sue had to retrain herself to perform tasks with her non‑dominant side after surgery. Andy learned to manage chores with crutches while slowly regaining his strength. Jessie Holmes turned a devastating accident into a test of will, leaning on community support and gradually returning to racing. Their experiences illustrate that survival isn’t static—it’s about evolving with each setback and pushing forward despite limitations.
3. Mortality Is Real
   Television often frames wilderness danger as entertainment—guns, storms, snow machines, and predators set against sweeping Arctic scenery. But when figures like Gary Muehlberger perish in a house fire or Litzi Botello succumbs to cancer, the stakes become painfully clear. These aren’t fictional storylines. They are reminders that behind every episode is a human being facing the unforgiving truth of Alaska, where resilience can extend life but never eliminate risk.

Together, these moments remind viewers that Life Below Zero is not just a show about survival skills—it is a portrait of people navigating isolation, loss, and recovery in one of the harshest places on Earth.