She was once the heart and soul of *American Pickers*.

 

 

Danielle Colby, a fan favorite known for her wit and charm, is now at the center of a murder trial that has stunned the nation.

Accused and convicted of orchestrating the tragic death of her longtime colleague Frank Fritz, Danielle’s fall from grace reads like a dark reality TV thriller.

For years, fans adored the trio of Frank, Mike, and Danielle as they uncovered forgotten American treasures.

But behind the scenes, a bitter war fueled by envy, power struggles, and millions in hidden offshore money was quietly unraveling.

As Frank’s health declined and his presence faded, Danielle allegedly seized the opportunity to take control—at any cost.

On October 1st, 2024, Frank Fritz was found unconscious in his Iowa home.

Initially, the public was told it was a stroke, and fans mourned the loss of their beloved star.

However, toxicology reports soon hinted at something far darker: poisoning.

The investigation quickly pointed to Mike Wolfe, Frank’s co-star, who had access to Frank’s medications and private life.

A vial of banned neurotoxin was discovered in Mike’s garage, raising suspicions that he might have been involved in silencing Frank to protect a lucrative financial lawsuit.

But everything changed when Danielle took the stand.

 

 

What began as a supportive testimony turned into a chilling confession.

Danielle admitted she knew Frank’s medication dosages and had checked on them the night before his death—a detail prosecutors said matched the method of poisoning.

Encrypted messages between Danielle and Mike surfaced, revealing cold, calculated plans.

One message chillingly read, “He’s alone right now. No one’s checking until tomorrow.”

Mike’s reply, “Delete this thread,” was enough to redirect the entire investigation.

The courtroom drama intensified as evidence piled up against Danielle.

Surveillance footage, financial records, and Danielle’s fingerprints on a second vial found in her home painted a damning picture.

Frank’s journal, recovered during an FBI raid, revealed his feelings of isolation and betrayal.

He wrote that Danielle had turned cold, manipulated Mike, and convinced the production team that Frank’s health made him a liability.

The final blow came with a suspicious $175,000 payment transferred from one of Mike’s shell companies to Danielle shortly after Frank’s death.

While Danielle claimed it was for a real estate investment, prosecutors called it hush money—bribes to keep her silent.

When Danielle confirmed she had checked Frank’s meds, the courtroom fell silent.

Just 48 hours after these revelations, the FBI raided Danielle’s Iowa estate.

 

 

Inside a hidden safe, agents found an encrypted hard drive containing surveillance footage from the night Frank died.

The footage showed Danielle arriving at Frank’s home, carrying a small bag, staying only 15 minutes, and leaving—actions that matched the timeline of the poisoning.

More damning evidence was found in a wooden box in her bedroom.

Inside was another vial coated with Danielle’s fingerprints and traces of the same toxin found in Frank’s blood.

Alongside it was a handwritten note detailing the exact dosage and mixing instructions in Danielle’s own handwriting.

Former employees testified that Danielle had asked one to deliver a suspicious gift to Mike days before Frank’s death—the very box prosecutors believe was planted to frame him.

It became clear Danielle had set Mike up, weaving a web of digital and physical evidence that pointed directly to her.

For years, Danielle had been consolidating power behind the scenes.

She isolated Frank, reduced his screen time, and took over key financial operations of *Antique Archaeology*.

Encrypted messages revealed Danielle telling Mike, “Frank needs to stay in Iowa. You need to shine on your own. I’ll handle the rest

Her “handling” involved eliminating Frank not only from the show but ultimately from life.

By 2022, Danielle managed offshore accounts tied to over $3.2 million in *American Pickers* transactions.

In 2023, she pressured Mike to sign over the show’s rights, threatening to expose financial scandals if he refused.

When Frank died, Danielle cashed in, transferring $450,000 from offshore accounts into a Puerto Rican property while maintaining a public image of innocence.

But the FBI believed she masterminded the entire operation—to kill Frank and hijack the *American Pickers* legacy

The trial unfolded in February 2025 in Davenport, Iowa, captivating the nation.

 

 

Prosecutor Sarah Harav portrayed Danielle as a manipulative mastermind, bent on power and willing to erase anyone in her way.

The evidence was overwhelming: security footage, financial transactions, and Danielle’s own notes laid bare an airtight case.

Despite a vigorous defense claiming Danielle was scapegoated and loved Frank deeply, the jury was unconvinced.

Danielle’s credibility crumbled when confronted with her handwritten note detailing the poison dosage.

Mike Wolfe returned to the stand as a key witness, emotionally recounting Danielle’s manipulation and how she convinced him Frank was a liability.

Mike admitted cutting ties with Frank but denied knowledge of the poisoning plan.

He confirmed the $175,000 payment Danielle received was part of a pressure campaign to seize control.

“I had no idea what was inside that vial,” Mike testified, painting Danielle as the puppet master behind the scenes.

The heartbreaking testimony of Frank’s sister, Lisa Fritz, sealed the case.

She described how Frank confided fears of betrayal and feeling like a ghost on his own show.

Other witnesses recalled Danielle’s hostile behavior and attempts to isolate Frank.

Forensic experts confirmed the vial in Danielle’s home contained the exact toxin found in Frank’s bloodstream.

Her fingerprints, notes, and financial dealings connected every piece of evidence.

On February 28th, 2025, after just three days of deliberation, the jury found Danielle Colby guilty of first-degree murder, obstruction of justice, and financial fraud.

Sentenced to life in prison without parole, Danielle’s empire of manipulation crumbled.

 

 

The courtroom fell silent as justice, though long overdue, was finally served.

Public reaction was swift and emotional.

Hashtags like #JusticeForFrank and #DanielleGuilty trended worldwide as fans mourned the betrayal of a woman they once admired.

Mike Wolfe donated $500,000 to the Crohn’s Disease Foundation in Frank’s honor and announced plans for a museum celebrating their journey.

The History Channel officially canceled *American Pickers* in May 2025, marking the end of an era.

Frank’s legacy, however, lives on through a museum in his hometown and the Fritz Fellowship, supporting rural history preservation.

Though *American Pickers* ended in tragedy, Frank Fritz’s story remains a testament to the power of memory, friendship, and the enduring spirit of Americana.

His life was stolen, but his legacy will never be forgotten.