A few of you might've missed the boat on The History Channel's reality series "Swamp People," and unfortunately are only realizing it in light of "Swamp People" star Mitchell Guist's death. 
 
 The series is set in Louisiana's Atchafalaya Swamp, and focuses on Cajun alligator hunters, like the late Mitchell Guist and his brother Glenn, during the 30-day hunting season that the History Channel notes is "crucial to their survival." 
 
 It may sound like a simple concept, but fans will tell you that's also its draw. 
 
 Now in its third season, "Swamp People" is a ratings win for The History Channel in its Thursday night timeslot. Last week, "Swamp People" was the top original cable program, pulling in 3.8 million viewers, according to TV by the Numbers. 
 
 At the heart of the show are "Swamp People's" cast of characters, and Mitchell and his brother were among fans' favorites. 
 
 The pair are described by The History Channel as "swampers through and through," two brothers living "entirely off the land" and "making use of everything nature has to offer." 
 
 That lifestyle resonated with many, as seen in the response of CNN.com commenters like thammu, who viewed Mitchell as "an original on the show, and it brought me renewed respect for people living off the land(and waters) they love." 
 
 Entertainment Weekly has called "Swamp People" a "refreshing departure from the over-produced, glossy fare that dominates much of the reality TV landscape," and its millions of viewers have welcomed that change. 
 
 "'Swamp People' is one of the only Reality TV shows I have ever enjoyed," said CNN.com commenter stonecrow of Guist's passing. "The reason being that the people they show are genuine, hospitable and decent. While it can become repetitive seeing the same hunt scenario every week, the Guist brothers, Troy and all the rest don't appear to be celebrity w****s like so many others in the reality TV circuit. For the folks that don't understand that, feel free to get your fill of Snookie [sic] instead. I'll take the Cajuns any day. RIP Mitchell." ||||| Posted: May 14, 2012 11:51 AM 
 
 Updated: May 14, 2012 2:55 PM 
 
 Source: Assumption Parish 
 
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 Continuing Coverage: Swamp People star's death 
 
 
 
 BELLE RIVER - Deputies in Assumption Parish confirmed that Mitchell Guist from The History Channel's show "Swamp People" died this morning. 
 
 Sheriff Mike Waguespack said the incident occurred around 9 a.m. in St. Martin Parish along the Belle River. Waguespack said Guist suffered a fall in the boat shortly after it launched into the Belle River. 
 
 Witnesses told News 2 people on the boat waved others over for help, and Guist was having what appeared to be seizures. They called 911 and a responder trained in CPR, but attempts to resuscitate the reality TV star were unsuccessful. 
 
 The cause of death is not known. 
 
 A spokesperson at The History Channel released the following statement this afternoon: 
 
 "We are extremely saddened to report that our friend and beloved member of the Swamp People family, Mitchell Guist, has passed away earlier today. Mitchell passed on the swamp, doing what he loved. We appreciate your respect for the Guist family's privacy and hope you join us in sending our thoughts and prayers to his brother, Glenn, and the rest of the Guist family. " 
 
 The spokesperson said all planned episodes of "The Swamp People" would air normally and as scheduled, and they were working on how "to honor to his memory." 
 
 News 2 will have more details as they become available. 
 
 Photo Courtesy: The History Channel
– A tough-as-nails Cajun star of the History Channel's Swamp People dropped dead in his boat yesterday. The cause of death was not immediately known, but witnesses said Mitchell Guist, who would have turned 49 on Friday, appeared to suffer a seizure shortly after launching his boat for another day of plying the Louisiana bayous for food. Paramedics responding to the scene on Belle River near Baton Rouge were unable to revive him, reports WBRZ-TV. Guist and his brother, Glenn, became unlikely reality stars of the Swamp People series, which follows alligator, snake, frog, squirrel and catfish hunters in Louisiana's Atchafalaya swamp country. "We are extremely saddened to report that our friend and beloved member of the Swamp People family, Mitchell Guist, has passed away," said a History Channel statement. "Mitchell passed on the swamp, doing what he loved."