How Survivor Honored Crew Member Vince Costello After His Death

The Survivor season 49 premiere included a heartbreaking tribute to longtime crew member Vince Costello, who died at age 61 after filming season 50 in Fiji.

The Survivor tribe has lost one of its own.

Vince Costello—a locations manager for the long-running CBS show—was honored with a special message during the season 49 premiere on Sept. 24.

“In loving memory of Vince Costello,” an onscreen dedicated read, “forever in our hearts.”

Vince died after being diagnosed with late stage hepatocellular carcinoma, also known as liver cancer, according to a GoFundMe set up on behalf of his family. He was 61.

Since 2015, the Fiji native had been part of the Survivor crew, helping to scout for locations around the South Pacific where filming could take place.

“Fiji is very much into culture and into respect, and it’s been great working for Survivor in that respect,” he previously told People. “From every single Fijian citizen on this job and for all the citizens of our little country, we’ve been very grateful.”

In fact, Vince considered the crew to be his family—especially since his daughter Aline Costello, 28, and son Patrick Costello, 21, were also part of the Survivor production team.

“We’re a very tight family, so I feel like if anyone could do it, it would be us,” Aline, who started out on the Survivor Dream Team before joining her dad as a full-time locations assistant, told People. “It’s been good.”

Meanwhile, Patrick became a camera operator after spending his childhood running around the set.

“Dad wanted me to go to university,” he recalled. “So, I kind of had to make a deal with him and just say, ‘Can I not do that? Can I just come learn here?'”

Vince last worked on the 50th season of Survivor, which was filmed on Fiji’s Mamanuca Islands in June, according to People. Titled Survivor: In the Hands of the Fans, the upcoming landmark season will feature fan-favorites Jenna Lewis, Colby Donaldson, Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick, Cirie Fields, Ozzy Lusth and The White Lotus creator Mike White.

According to the GoFundMe for Vince’s family, he relocated from Fiji to Australia for treatment after his cancer diagnosis. He was described as “very much loved and respected by so many.”

“Vince is always there for these friends and his community,” the fundraiser’s description read. “His warmth, humor, and generosity have left a lasting impact on everyone lucky enough to have met and spent time with him.”