Reality Television star and municipal Judge Frank Caprio has died after an extended illness.
“Judge Frank Caprio passed away peacefully at the age of 88 after a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Beloved for his compassion, humility, and unwavering belief in the goodness of people, Judge Caprio touched the lives of millions through his work in the courtroom and beyond,” said a post on his Instagram.
Caprio, known as the ‘nicest judge,’ presided over courtrooms in Providence, Rhode Island, United States, and eventually became a TikTok star, sharing clips of his reality TV show on the app.
One of his most viral videos, which racked up five million views on YouTube alone, was that of a 96-year-old father who received a speeding ticket while taking his 63-year-old son to cancer treatment.
His videos often included heartfelt moments with the people who came before him in court, including several Jamaicans, one of whom instructed him on the intricacies of cooking chicken feet while he listened intently.
Caprio had shared much of his pancreatic cancer journey with his followers on social media, from beginning treatment to just hours before he died, where he posted a video requesting prayers.
Social media users had emotional reactions to the judge’s death.
“No ! I’m devastated! I prayed for him last night. I am so so sorry for his friends and family- he was such a light and I looked forward to hearing his messages of kindness everyday,” said one Instagram user.
