Breaking Amish Star Jeremiah Raber Life-Flighted to Hospital
Breaking Amish fan-favorite Jeremiah Raber was airlifted to a Pennsylvania hospital Monday, leaving followers anxious for updates on his condition.
A Sudden Turn for the Rebellious Star
The rolling hills of Pennsylvania had barely settled after Sunday service when the whir of a med-evac helicopter shattered the quiet. Jeremiah Raber—once the sharp-tongued heart of TLC’s Breaking Amish—was airlifted from a farm outside Punxsutawney late Monday, leaving fans and former castmates clutching their phones for news.
What We Know So Far
According to the Jefferson County Emergency Dispatch, first responders were called to a private residence at 4:17 p.m. for a "medical emergency involving a 44-year-old male." Within 22 minutes, the helicopter touched down in a nearby pasture and ferried Raber to UPMC Altoona, where he remains in stable but guarded condition.
"He was conscious when they loaded him in, asking if the cameras were rolling," a neighbor, who asked not to be named, told The Chronicle. "Even on a stretcher, Jeremiah’s got that spark."
From Rumspringa to Reality TV Royalty
Raber’s journey out of the Amish church—and into living-room infamy—began in 2012 when Breaking Amish premiered. Viewers watched the then-32-year-old defy bishop and family to chase a life in New York City, trading suspenders for designer jeans and courting controversy at every turn. Over five seasons, his on-screen clashes with castmates and off-screen legal battles (a 2017 arrest for public intoxication, a 2020 stint in rehab) only deepened the public’s fascination.
Health Scares and Headlines
This isn’t Raber’s first hospitalization. In 2021 he revealed a severe case of diverticulitis that left him bedridden for weeks, posting gruesome photos of a colostomy bag to Instagram with the caption, "Reality check, folks." Friends say he never fully regained the 40 pounds he lost, and recent social-media posts show a thinner, more subdued Jeremiah, trading barbs for Bible verses.
Investigation Underway
State police have sealed the incident report, citing an "open investigation." Toxicology results are pending, though authorities confirm no foul play is suspected. Raber’s manager, Dominique Ruiz, released a brief statement Tuesday morning:
"Jeremiah is receiving excellent care. We ask for privacy as we focus on his recovery and will update fans when there’s something concrete to share."
Community Reacts
Fans flooded Twitter with #PrayForJeremiah, while former castmate Sabrina High posted a throwback selfie with the caption, "We’ve had our fights, but I don’t wish this on anyone. Get well, brother." Meanwhile, Amish elders in the area remain tight-lipped; one bishop, when pressed, simply said, "We still pray for the lost sheep."
What’s Next
Doctors caution that even stable patients can face setbacks. Raber is expected to undergo additional scans Wednesday, and sources close to the family say a decision on whether to transfer him to a Pittsburgh specialty hospital could come by Thursday. For a man who’s made a career out of courting the spotlight, the greatest drama now plays out behind closed curtains.