Jason Hitch, who appeared on the TLC reality series 90 Day Fiancé, died on Tuesday due to complications of Covid-19. Hitch was 45 years old.
Hitch’s sister, Shannon, revealed that Hitch had no underlying conditions, but that he was not vaccinated.
Hitch was an Army veteran, having been a first lieutenant in the Army reserves in Florida. He appeared on the second season of 90 Day Fiancé in 2014. The reality series follows long-distance couples as they decide whether or not to marry within three months, in order to fulfill United States visa requirements.
Hitch married Cássia Taraves, who moved to the U.S. from Curitiba, Brazil. The TLC show followed him as he traveled to Brazil and assisted Taraves with her relocation to Hitch’s hometown, Spring Hill, Florida. They began a mail-order snack business called Gifting Fun.
The couple broke up in 2017 and filed for divorce the next year.
Taraves commented on Hitch’s passing on social media. She posted on her Instagram story, “It’s always sad when someone you spent part of your life with stops breathing. I guess one could never be prepared for that. I wasn’t, today.”
She added, “When I started receiving messages, I thought it was a joke. I’m shocked. My condolences to his family and friends. Rest in Peace, Jason.”
Hitch passed away in a Florida ICU with his family by his side holding his hands.
A TLC spokesperson said in a statement, “We are saddened to hear about the passing of Jason Hitch and send our sincere condolences to his family and friends at this time.”
Hitch died the same day that the United States surpassed 800,000 deaths of Covid-19.
Health experts urge people to get vaccinated, wear masks and maintain proper social distancing in order to avoid illness and to combat the spread of the global pandemic.
