The world of Appalachian moonshining feels a lot quieter these days. If you've been keeping up with the Discovery Channel hit Moonshiners, you likely noticed the absence of a familiar, gritty face. Everett Kenneth "Kenny" Law, the third-generation distiller who brought a massive amount of heart and "outlaw" authenticity to the screen, passed away on January 14, 2025. He was only 68.
For months, fans were whispering. They saw the changes. They noticed he wasn't quite as spry as he used to be when he first joined the cast in Season 8. There was a lot of speculation about a specific Kenny Law Moonshiners illness, but the reality was a complicated mix of chronic health battles that eventually just became too much for one man to carry.
Honestly, Kenny was the kind of guy who seemed invincible. He was a survivor. Back in 1977, he literally ran back into a burning building after a propane explosion to save his father. He was badly burned and spent months in the hospital, but he walked away. He had that "cat with nine lives" energy. But as any family who has dealt with long-term health issues knows, the body eventually keeps the score.
The Reality of Kenny Law’s Health Struggles
It wasn't just one thing. That’s usually how it goes with these tough mountain men. They push through the pain until they can’t. According to his cousin and long-time partner, Henry Law, Kenny had been fighting a "myriad of health issues" for several years.
Diabetes was a constant shadow in his life. It’s a grueling disease, especially when you’re out in the woods or running a roofing company, which Kenny did for years in Rocky Mount, Virginia. But the complications didn’t stop there.
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- Heart Problems: Kenny had been dealing with heart trouble for quite a while.
- A 2024 Heart Attack: Many fans didn't realize it at the time, but Kenny suffered a heart attack in 2024. It was a major blow to his system, though he tried to keep going.
- The Final Hospitalization: About a month before he passed, Kenny was admitted to the hospital.
- Blood Infection: While his body was already weakened by diabetes and heart disease, he contracted a severe blood infection.
Henry described it pretty bluntly to the media: Kenny's body just "wore out." It’s a heavy phrase, isn't it? After decades of hard work, federal prison time for refusing to "rat," and the physical toll of the distilling life, the combination of the infection and his underlying conditions was simply too much to overcome.
Why Fans Didn't See it Coming
Discovery fans are used to seeing these guys as larger-than-life figures. On Moonshiners, the drama usually revolves around avoiding the law or fixing a leaky copper still. We don't often see the quiet, painful reality of chronic illness. Kenny Law didn't want to be a burden or a "sob story." He was an outlaw. He lived by a code.
Because the show is filmed months in advance, the timeline can get a bit blurry for viewers. You might be watching an episode where he looks okay, while in real-time, he was fighting for his life in a hospital bed. That disconnect is why so many people were blindsided by the news in January 2025.
The Legacy of Law’s Choice Distillery
Kenny wasn’t just a "TV personality." He was the real deal. He and Henry ran Law’s Choice Distillery in Franklin County, Virginia—the "Moonshine Capital of the World." They weren't just making a product; they were keeping a 200-year-old tradition alive that started with their ancestor, Amos Law.
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When the federal government offered Kenny a choice—snitch on his fellow shiners or go to prison—he took the time. He spent years in federal prison rather than break the code of silence. That kind of grit is rare. It’s what made him a legend in the community and a fan favorite on the show.
His daughter, Kenzie, and her husband Nathan, along with his two grandsons, were with him at the end. It’s some small comfort to know that after all those years of being a "rebellious outlaw," he was surrounded by the people who loved him most.
What to Watch Out For (Scams and Misinformation)
After Kenny passed, a lot of weird stuff started popping up online. His daughter even had to go on Facebook to warn people about scammers.
Basically, people were trying to sell "livestreams" of his funeral or asking for donations for fake memorial funds. If you see a post claiming to have "exclusive footage" of Kenny Law's final moments or a link to a funeral broadcast that requires a credit card, don't click it. It’s a scam. The family has been very clear that they wanted to grieve privately and that fans should remember him through his work on the show and the legal shine he left behind.
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Practical Steps for Fans of Kenny Law
If you want to honor Kenny’s memory, there are a few authentic ways to do it without falling for the internet noise:
- Support Law’s Choice Distillery: The best way to keep his legacy alive is to support the business he built with Henry. They worked hard to transition from the woods to the legal market.
- Revisit Season 8 through 14: Go back and watch his early episodes. You can really see the bond between him and Henry. It wasn't just for the cameras; they were like brothers.
- Respect the Family’s Privacy: While it's tempting to look for more details on the "Kenny Law Moonshiners illness," the family has shared what they want the public to know.
Kenny was a "blue-eyed, camouflage-wearing legend" who lived life on his own terms. His death is a reminder that even the toughest characters we see on screen are human, dealing with the same health battles as anyone else. He fought the good fight, he kept the secrets, and he definitely left his mark on the mountain.
Rest easy, Big Guy. The shine will keep flowing, but it won't be quite the same without you.