Former 90 Day Fiancé star Jason Hitch passed away on December 14, 2021. He was 45 years of age at his time of passing. He died with his family by his bedside in a Florida hospital.
The late reality star became a popular addition to the cast of 90 Day Fiancé, with his fame extending beyond his exit. In the wake of his passing, tributes poured in from friends, family, and fans of the show. In honor of his name, here’s a look into the life of Jason Hitch and the complex matters around his passing.
Jason Hitch’s Time on 90 Day Fiancé
Jason Hitch was 38 years old when he joined TLC’s popular show, 90 Day Fiancé. He boarded the series in its second season in 2014 after serving as a first lieutenant in the Army reserves. Hitch quickly became a pivotal part of the show’s sophomore season, which had just started to find its feet in terms of ratings. He featured in 10 of the season’s 12 episodes. His relationship with his wife Cássia Tavares was one that fans could really root for, as they were attempting to maintain a relationship that crossed oceans. Cássia Tavares is originally from Brazil but moved to the United States to be with Hitch after progressing from dating over Facebook.
During their time on the show, Jason and Cassia faced numerous challenges in their relationship, with Cassia often being referred to as a gold digger due to some of her behaviour. However, Jason was known to be extremely frugal, which meant that he and Cassia often clashed. Their frequent disputes gave the impression that Jason and Cassia’s marriage was shaky after just a year of marriage. As a result of Jason’s additional domestic abuse charges, the couple temporarily separated. However, Cassia and Jason reconciled and reestablished their relationship. They also attended marriage counselling in an attempt to get help. After this, they opened their own business together – the now dissolved mail-order snack company, Gifting Fun. Yet, in the years following their stint on the show, the two separated in 2017. The domestic abuse charges against Hitch were dismissed. They then filed for divorce in 2018.
How Did Jason Hitch Die?
Jason Hitch fell ill in 2021 when he contracted COVID-19. He was taken to a Florida ICU where he was carefully monitored. However, he sadly passed away from complications. Hitch was reportedly unvaccinated. When speaking to TMZ, Jason’s sister Shannon stated how his family was able to be present at his bedside despite the state of affairs during the pandemic. She added that they were able to hold his hand when he passed away. She also explained how his death came as a shock as he did not have any pre-existing medical conditions as far as herself and her family were aware.
Touching Tributes Poured in For Jason Hitch Following His Passing
After his passing, Jason’s sister Shannon called him a “true and honest shooter, a great officer and leader to his men.” Despite his separation from Tavares, it appears they remained somewhat amicable after the divorce. When speaking with Radar Online about the split, Hitch said: “A successful relationship is communication, physical attraction and doing whatever it takes. Right now it’s time to go in different directions. I think we’ll remain friends. She knows I have her best interests at heart.”
In the wake of his passing, although they had been separated for over three years, it seems that Tavares still had a significant amount of respect for Hitch. She took to her official Instagram page and wrote the following: “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. 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.”
TLC also issued a statement to Fox Digital News, reading: “We are saddened to hear about the passing of Jason Hitch and send our sincere condolences to his family and friends at this time.” Want to read about more former 90 Day Fiancé stars? Here’s the story of Syngin Colchester’s impressive weight loss journey after leaving the show.
Follow Us
