Jason Hitch and Cassia Tavares were the blueprint for what 90 Day Fiancé eventually became. Before the glitz, the massive Instagram followings, and the manufactured drama of the later seasons, there was Season 2. It was raw. It felt real because it actually was. When people look back at Jason and Cassia 90 Day Fiance history, they aren't just looking at a reality TV couple; they’re looking at a cautionary tale of age gaps, cultural friction, and the very real fragility of life after the cameras stop rolling.
Jason was a 38-year-old living with his father in Spring Hill, Florida. Cassia was a 23-year-old firebrand from Brazil. The math already looked shaky to viewers.
Why Their Season Felt Different
Back in 2014, the show wasn't the behemoth it is now. We watched Jason, a guy who made a living flipping items on eBay, try to convince a young, vibrant Brazilian woman that suburban Florida was the land of opportunity. It was awkward. Honestly, it was cringey at times. But there was a genuine sense that Jason cared, even if he was incredibly frugal—remember the auctions? He was obsessed with the hustle. Cassia, meanwhile, didn't hold back. She hated the weather, she hated the boredom, and she wasn't afraid to let him know.
They got married. They defied the skeptics for a while. But the "happily ever after" was short-lived, and the fallout was messy in a way that tabloid headers couldn't quite capture.
The Cracks in the Florida Dream
By 2017, the marriage was effectively a ghost. Domestic issues started leaking into the public eye. Most fans of Jason and Cassia 90 Day Fiance remember the 2018 divorce filing, but few realize they actually tried to make it work multiple times. They filed, they retracted, they went to therapy. It was a cycle.
Jason was arrested in early 2017 for domestic battery after an altercation in their home. While the charges were later dropped, the damage to their public image and their private trust was basically irreparable. Cassia eventually moved out. She didn't just leave Jason; she left the lifestyle he had built. She went to school, started focusing on her own education, and eventually moved back to her roots in a sense, seeking a life that didn't involve being a "mail-order bride" stereotype on basic cable.
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Divorce is never easy, but doing it while the internet watches you is a special kind of hell. Jason stayed in Florida. Cassia moved on, eventually graduating from the University of South Florida and remarried a man named Giuseppe in 2021. She found the quiet life she seemingly couldn't find with Jason.
The Shocking Turn in 2021
Everything changed in December 2021. This is where the story of Jason and Cassia 90 Day Fiance takes a turn from reality TV drama to genuine heartbreak. Jason Hitch died at the age of 45.
It happened in a Florida hospital. The cause was complications from COVID-19.
Jason's sister, Shannon, told TMZ at the time that he wasn't vaccinated and had no underlying health conditions that the family knew of. He was a fit guy. He was an Army veteran. He was young. His death sent a shockwave through the 90 Day community because he was one of the first "original" cast members to pass away. It served as a grim reminder that these people we judge on our TV screens every Sunday night are, well, human.
Cassia's reaction was complicated. How do you mourn an ex-husband you had a volatile relationship with? She posted on Instagram, "It’s always sad when someone you spent part of your life with passes away. I’m shocked." She didn't pretend they were best friends, but she showed a level of grace that many didn't expect. She acknowledged their history while maintaining her boundaries. It was a very human moment in a franchise that often feels plastic.
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The eBay Legacy and the Army Life
Jason wasn't just a reality star. He was a First Lieutenant in the Army Reserves. He took pride in his service. He also took pride in his "junk." His eBay business was his lifeblood. He would go to estate sales, find hidden gems, and flip them for a profit. It was a modest living, but he loved the autonomy of it.
Fans often mocked him for living with his father, but Jason was incredibly loyal. He stayed there to help his dad. That’s a nuance the show’s editing often glossed over in favor of making him look like a cheapskate. He was frugal, yes, but he was also a caretaker.
Lessons from the Jason and Cassia Saga
If you’re looking for the "why" behind the fascination with this couple, it’s about the reality of the K-1 visa. It isn't just about a wedding. It’s about the 900 days after the 90 days.
- Age gaps aren't just numbers. A 15-year gap means two people are in completely different life stages. Jason wanted a partner to fit into his established Florida life. Cassia wanted to start her life. Those two goals are fundamentally at odds.
- Location is everything. You can't take someone from a bustling Brazilian metro and put them in a sleepy Florida suburb without expecting some serious culture shock.
- The "Edit" isn't the whole person. Jason was portrayed as a quirky, cheap guy. In reality, he was a veteran and a son who prioritized family. Cassia was portrayed as a "gold digger," yet she went on to get a degree and build a successful, independent life without Jason’s money.
What the Fans Often Get Wrong
There's a common misconception that Cassia stayed in the US just for the Green Card. If that were true, she probably would have stayed in the limelight. Instead, she disappeared from the reality TV circuit. She didn't do 90 Day: The Single Life. She didn't do Pillow Talk. She chose a private, academic path.
Jason, too, was misunderstood. He was one of the few cast members who would actually talk to fans one-on-one. He was active on Twitter (now X) and would defend his choices, often with a dry sense of humor. He knew he was the "villain" to some, but he didn't seem to care as long as he was being himself.
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Where Does the Story Go From Here?
Cassia is currently living her life away from the cameras. She’s married, she’s educated, and she seems happy. Jason’s legacy is carried on by his family and the small community of eBay flippers he inspired.
The story of Jason and Cassia 90 Day Fiance serves as a bridge between the old version of the show—where people were actually trying to find love—and the new version, which feels like an audition for an OnlyFans career. They were messy, they were loud, and they were ultimately tragic. But they were real.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Expats
If you're following the franchise or considering a similar K-1 journey, take these points to heart:
- Prioritize Mental Health: The pressure of the visa process plus the pressure of filming is a pressure cooker. Many couples from the early seasons didn't have the support systems in place that later casts do.
- Audit the Lifestyle: Before moving across the world, visit the specific town. Not the "tourist" version, but the "eBay flipping in the suburbs" version.
- Respect the Privacy of the Departed: Jason’s death was a turning point for how fans interact with cast members. It’s a reminder that behind the memes, there are families grieving.
To honor Jason's memory, many fans suggest supporting veterans' charities or simply being a bit more skeptical of the "villain edit" we see on screen. People are rarely as one-dimensional as a 42-minute episode suggests.
Next Steps:
To get a better understanding of the early days of the K-1 visa process, watch the Season 2 "Where Are They Now?" specials. It provides a much-needed context on how Jason and Cassia’s relationship soured before the finality of their divorce. You can also look into Cassia’s public social media archives if you want to see her journey through the American education system, which she has documented as a guide for other immigrants.