What Happened to Dave Blankenship on The Curse of Oak Island?

A new season of The Curse of Oak Island premiered earlier this month, bringing the Lagina brothers back into the spotlight as they continue their decades-long quest for treasure on Nova Scotia’s mysterious Oak Island. But one familiar face was still missing: Dave Blankenship.

Dave, along with his father Dan Blankenship, was central to the series in its early seasons—appearing for the first six years of the show. Dan devoted half a century to excavating the island before his passing in 2019. Not long after, Dave stepped away as well.

Here’s everything we know about why Dave left, what happened to him, and where he is now.

Why Did Dave Blankenship Leave the Show?

Dave’s departure was never officially addressed on-air, but he later spoke out in an interview with The Oak Island Compendium, revealing that his exit stemmed from frustration over how the show portrayed his father’s legacy.

He explained:

“When the movie (TV) crew went from the Restall [family] to the Laginas and left my dad’s 50 years out, I quit. But they wanted me to retire instead, and we did a Drilling Down as my last show.”

Dave felt that the series minimized Dan Blankenship’s pivotal role in keeping the Oak Island search alive. He said:

“They left dad’s 50 years out. If it wasn’t for him, David [Tobias] would have quit looking, as dad became the man in the field.”

An alleged Facebook comment from Dave has also circulated online, echoing the same sentiment:

“I quit the show when they left 50 years out of my dad and went Restall to Laginas… They will not say anything about me.”

Dave also mentioned that, as of a 2023 interview, he had not spoken to the Lagina brothers in two years.

Dave Blankenship’s Injury: What Happened?

Many fans remember Dave’s distinctive walk and physical limitations on The Curse of Oak Island. These stem from a devastating accident in 1986.

According to Mysteries of Canada, Dave was working on a construction site when:

• A five-ton air compressor was being unloaded from a trailer
• A crane component snapped
• The cable struck Dave behind the knees
• He was thrown into the crane cab and out through the windshield

During the accident, his helmet strap pinched his carotid artery, causing a stroke.

Dave was briefly in a coma, and doctors warned his parents he might never walk or speak again. But he fought his way back:

“They told mom and dad I’d be a vegetable… They forgot to tell me!”

He eventually regained most of his abilities, though nerve damage left the left side of his body permanently numb. Despite this, he continued to work hard on Oak Island for decades.

Where Is Dave Blankenship Now?

Dave keeps a low profile and does not use social media, so updates about his life are rare. In his interview with The Oak Island Compendium, he revealed he still plans to remain living on Oak Island with his wife, Garnette.

He shared:

“[My house] is paid for. I see no reason to sell it. I may buy a house on the mainland and rent this one out for the summers.”

Though he no longer appears on The Curse of Oak Island, Dave remains closely tied to the island that defined so much of his life and his father’s legacy.