The reality star’s death was announced to his millions of social media followers on Aug. 20

Frank Caprio, judge who drew huge audience on reality show with his compassion, dies at age 88 from cancer | CNN

Municipal judge Frank Caprio asked for prayers from his millions of followers before he died at age 88.

The viral personality’s death was announced in a statement posted to his Instagram account on Wednesday, Aug. 20, detailing how he died “peacefully” following a “long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.” Just a day prior, Caprio posted a video of himself in a hospital bed speaking directly to his 5 million followers across platforms.

“Last year I asked you to pray for me, and it’s very obvious that you did, because I came through a very difficult period,” he began in his update shared on Aug. 19. “Unfortunately, I’ve had a setback. I’m back in the hospital.”

Caprio — who was known for his show Caught in Providence, which ran between 2018 and 2020 and received multiple Daytime Emmy Award nominations — went on to ask his community to send him the same well wishes.

Judge Frank Caprio Dies At 88 Due To Cancer, Here's What He Said In His Final Message Hours Before Passing — VIDEO

“I ask you again, if it’s not too much, that you can remember me in your prayers. I’m a great believer in the power of prayers. I think the almighty above is looking over, looking over us,” the reality star concluded. “So remember me, please.”

The Providence, R.I. judge added in his caption, “As I continue this difficult battle, your prayers will lift my spirit.”

Caprio initially revealed that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in an emotional video on Instagram in 2023. He shared that his diagnosis came around his birthday the month prior, which is typically “one of the happiest days of the year for me.”

“This birthday is a little different than any other I have ever had,” Caprio said at the time. “Quite recently, I was not feeling well and received a medical examination and the report was not a good one. And so I have been diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas, which is an insidious form of cancer.”

Judge Frank Caprio wearing a gown and sitting in court with a child next to him in the presiding chair

When his death was announced on Aug. 20, the statement sharing the heartbreaking news recalled Caprio’s “compassion, humility, and unwavering belief in the goodness of people,” as well as his “warmth, humor, and kindness.”

The commemorative post continued, “He will be remembered not only as a respected judge, but as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. His legacy lives on in the countless acts of kindness he inspired.”

Caprio was known for the way he presided over his courtroom with compassion, causing clips from his show to go viral on TikTok in recent years and earning him the title of “Nicest Judge in the World.”

Judge Frank Caprio, beloved for viral court videos, dies at 88 from pancreatic cancer - ABC News

As a result of clips from his show going viral, Caprio had also gained a substantial online following, amassing 3.5 followers on Instagram and 1.7 million on TikTok.

Gov. Dan McKee of Rhode Island shared a tribute to the late judge on X, calling Caprio a “Rhode Island treasure” and saying that he had “faced his illness with bravery.”

“I will miss him dearly,” Gov. McKee continued.

Gov. McKee also ordered that flags in Rhode Island be flown at half mast in honor of Caprio.