Newly released autopsy findings are shedding light on the tragic death of Chuck Potthast, a familiar face to fans of “90 Day Fiancé” and father of reality star Elizabeth Castravet.
According to documents obtained by TMZ from the Hillsborough County, Florida medical examiner, Potthast died in November from blunt force injuries to the face and neck after falling in a bathtub.
The report noted facial lacerations, a fractured cervical vertebra and positional asphyxia as factors in his death.
The medical examiner also listed chronic alcohol use, liver cirrhosis and acute alcohol intoxication as contributing causes, indicating Potthast had consumed a significant amount of alcohol before the fall.
Potthast was 64.
Tributes Have Poured In Since His Passing
The news was first broken by his daughter Elizabeth in a heartbreaking social media post back in November 2025.
“Two weeks ago, tragedy struck our family and it has left us completely shattered. My sweet, loving, and caring dad went to heaven. We’re trying to figure out how to navigate our lives and move forward without him,” she wrote.
She continued by asking for privacy during this difficult time.
Since the cause of death was released, fans once again took to social media to express their sympathy for the family.
“So sad. He had cancer and survived that to fall in the tub and pass away. He was such a kind man,” one fan wrote.
Another added, “So sad he really wanted the best for his kids and family! Rest in paradise Chuck.”
A Familiar Face on Reality TV
Potthast became known to viewers through his appearances alongside daughter Elizabeth and son-in-law Andrei Castravet on “90 Day Fiancé” and its spinoff, “90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After?”
He was often seen navigating family disagreements and offering blunt advice, becoming a memorable supporting figure in the franchise.
Fans also followed his health struggles in recent years. Potthast had undergone an extensive surgery not long before his death, something he discussed publicly while recovering.
In September 2025, he underwent a lengthy hernia surgery that was initially intended to address a smaller issue but complicated by his previous cancer treatment.
“My surgery was supposed to be about three to four hours long to fix hernias from my previous cancer operations that had developed,” he said in a social media post. “Once they got in there, they seen that my stomach wall had completely collapsed, so they had to fix that, which they did.”
