Danielle Colby convicted in Frank Fritz’s Murd£r, Farewell Forever _you’d never recognize them today

From Fame to Infamy: The Shocking Murder Case That Shattered American Pickers

Once celebrated as a beloved icon of American reality television, Danielle Colby now finds herself at the heart of one of the most shocking true crime stories in recent memory. What began as a tight-knit trio on American Pickers has unraveled into betrayal, manipulation, and a carefully orchestrated murder plot that left a nation stunned—and a man dead.

Frank Fritz, the endearing, salt-of-the-earth co-star of American Pickers, passed away on October 1, 2024. Initially declared a stroke victim, the true cause of death revealed a far more sinister truth: military-grade neurotoxin was discovered in his bloodstream. Now, his former colleague and longtime friend, Danielle Colby, has been found guilty of his murder.

A Reality Star on Trial

It was December 2024 when the trial of Mike Wolfe, Fritz’s former co-host, began in a packed Davenport, Iowa courtroom. Prosecutors unveiled damning evidence: a $175,000 wire transfer to Colby, encrypted messages between her and Wolfe, and a hidden vial containing the rare poison in Wolfe’s garage. The courtroom was stunned—but that was only the beginning.

Initially called as a witness, Danielle’s demeanor changed as the investigation deepened. Hidden messages, suspicious behavior, and forensic evidence began to paint her not as a bystander—but as a mastermind.

Prosecutor Sarah Harrow delivered the bombshell: surveillance footage, text threads, and forensic ties all pointed to Colby. A note found in her home, written in her own hand, detailed how to mix the neurotoxin with Frank’s medication. Her fingerprints were found on the vial that contained the poison. What was once circumstantial turned into a mountain of incriminating evidence.

Mike Wolfe’s Fall—and Partial Redemption

Mike Wolfe, once painted as a co-conspirator, offered an emotional testimony that shifted the courtroom’s view. He revealed how Danielle pressured him to sideline Frank as early as 2018, eventually forcing him to relinquish full creative control of American Pickers in 2023 under threat of exposure for financial irregularities.

“She said Frank was the problem. That the show only needed me,” Wolfe testified. “I was afraid. And in the end, I lost my brother.”

Wolfe claimed Danielle framed him by planting the vial in his garage and coercing him into silence with threats tied to offshore accounts.

Though he still faces investigation for financial misconduct, the murder charge focus has now shifted entirely to Colby.

The FBI Raid and the Final Blow

A key turning point came just days after the trial began, when federal agents raided Danielle’s Davenport estate. Hidden behind a bookshelf, they found a safe containing a matching vial of poison, handwritten instructions, and encrypted security footage showing Danielle entering and exiting Frank’s house the night he died—carrying a small bag later confirmed to contain the fatal substance.

Even more damning, footage showed Danielle erasing the surveillance video just hours before police were scheduled to collect it.

According to Special Agent Emily Rivera, “This was not the behavior of an innocent witness. This was a coordinated effort to obstruct justice and stage a frame job.”

The Verdict

After weeks of heart-wrenching testimonies and forensic bombshells, the jury returned its verdict on February 28, 2025: Danielle Colby was guilty of first-degree murder, obstruction of justice, and financial fraud. She was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

“The evidence was overwhelming,” said the jury foreperson. “This was a cold, calculated plan executed with disturbing precision.”

Frank Fritz’s Hidden Legacy

In a final twist that captivated the world, Frank Fritz’s grave was exhumed to make way for a new museum. What lay beneath wasn’t just a coffin—it was a hidden treasure trove: a personal collection of rare artifacts, heartfelt journals, and a silent tribute to the people and stories Frank had touched.

Among the items: a pristine 1934 Indian motorcycle, never-before-seen letters from Thomas Edison, and a toy car collection made for children at Iowa Children’s Hospital. The world learned Frank wasn’t just a picker—he was a storyteller, a man who saw antiques not just as objects, but as living memories.

His journal, titled The Real Finds, has now inspired a nationwide movement to collect forgotten American stories, and a memorial museum in his hometown has opened in his honor.

End of an Era

In May 2025, amid mounting pressure and emotional tributes from fans, the History Channel officially cancelled American Pickers, calling the scandal “an irreparable loss.”

Mike Wolfe donated $500,000 to the Crohn’s Disease Foundation in Frank’s memory and announced the opening of a small museum to celebrate their shared journey.

“I can’t change the past,” Mike posted online, “but I can keep Frank’s legacy alive. He was the heart of American Pickers, not me.”

A Nation Still Searching

As the dust settles, whispers of reopened FBI threads and lingering questions suggest the story may not yet be over. For those who grew up watching Frank, Mike, and Danielle roam the backroads of America, the betrayal cuts deep.

But for others, Frank’s final collection—his legacy—now stands as a reminder: history isn’t just about what we find. It’s about who we are, and who we remember.

Subscribe to follow this ongoing investigation—and help honor the man who helped America remember its past.