The Swamp Queen’s Secret Life: Why Pickle Wheat Stepped Back and the Joyful Milestones That Reshaped Her World
The muddy riverbanks of Louisiana are not for the faint of heart, but for Cheyenne “Pickle” Wheat, they are simply home. Since her debut on the hit reality show Swamp People in Season 12, Pickle has become one of the most compelling and beloved figures in reality television. She is the antithesis of the typical reality star: a full-blooded Louisiana woman, born in Pyrass in 1995, who learned to handle a rifle before most kids could tie their shoes. Hunting alligators is not a sport to her; it is a way of life, a legacy passed down by her father, Eddie Wheat, and her grandfather. Fearless, formidable, and yet disarmingly charming, Pickle can wrestle a ten-foot gator without breaking a sweat, a skill set that instantly cemented her as a Swamp People fan favorite.

Despite her undeniable popularity, fans have noticed her unexpected absence and reduced presence in recent seasons, sparking widespread worry: Did Pickle Wheat leave Swamp People for good? The answer is a resounding no, but the reasons behind her time away involve a mix of unforeseen circumstances, an intriguing brush with romance, and joyful personal milestones that have reshaped her life both on and off the boat.

The Romantic Mystery: Pickle and Chase Landry
The first major distraction from the hunt—and the source of massive fan speculation—was the undeniable chemistry between Pickle and Chase Landry, the son of the legendary “King of the Swamp,” Troy Landry.

Pickle and Chase were a seemingly perfect match. They shared a deep, inherited passion for the swamp, a respect for the land, and an understanding of the challenges of the gator-hunting lifestyle. On camera, their interactions were marked by genuine warmth and shared laughter. Off-screen, the speculation reached a fever pitch around 2020 when a minor social media update—Pickle’s Facebook relationship status changing to in a relationship with Chase Landry—seemed to confirm the rumors.

Photos began to surface: the two smiling together, attending family holidays with the Landrys, and sharing moments far beyond the professional collaboration of gator season. The fact that Pickle, despite her relative youth, earned the respect of a legend like Troy Landry spoke volumes about her character and skill, making her acceptance into the tight-knit Landry clan feel even more authentic.

However, just as suddenly as the posts appeared, they seemed to vanish. Photos of the couple were deleted, and updates ceased. Neither Pickle nor Chase ever confirmed or denied a breakup, leaving fans to guess. Was the relationship simply a short chapter? Did they choose to live a quieter life away from the cameras? Given Chase’s naturally private nature and the immense scrutiny of being a Swamp People star, the latter seemed possible. Regardless of the duration of their relationship, their connection was real, captivating fans who hoped for a long-lasting, bayou-blessed union.

The Real Reasons for Her Break: Health, Love, and Legacy
The mystery of Pickle’s reduced screen time had little to do with romance and everything to do with a combination of life’s most profound challenges and greatest joys.

1. Troy Landry’s Health Crisis
The first reason for the pause was a serious one that affected the entire Swamp People family: Troy Landry was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

This serious health battle forced production to slow down, with filming sometimes pausing entirely. When fans tuned in and found their favorite hunters absent, they naturally assumed a bigger problem, leading to the “Pickle left the show” rumors. Being close to Troy and the Landry family, Pickle was affected by the production halt. This unexpected time away from the demanding filming schedule provided her with the space to focus on her personal life—a crucial pivot that led to monumental changes.

2. Marriage to Joshua Kippes
During the break in filming, the fearless gator hunter chose to embrace a new, softer role: a wife. Pickle married her fiancé, Joshua Kippes, a man who, while not part of the Swamp People cast, is completely aligned with her values. Joshua is an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), a profession that demands hard work, resilience, and a deep understanding of danger—qualities he shares with his wife.

The couple began appearing together online, sharing simple, heartfelt moments. Their wedding, which took place in September 2024, was a testament to Pickle’s roots: simple, heartfelt, and steeped in Louisiana charm and tradition. In a beautiful gesture of the familial bond they share, Troy Landry himself officiated the ceremony, tearfully describing Pickle as being like a daughter to him. The wedding was a clear sign that Pickle was not leaving the Swamp People family but was instead building a new foundation within it.

The Final Chapter: Wife, Mother, and Enduring Swamp Hunter
The most significant and joyful shift in Pickle’s life is her embrace of motherhood. She is now a mother of two, successfully balancing the rugged, demanding work of gator hunting with the non-stop reality of raising young children.

In a flurry of happy announcements, Pickle welcomed her first child, a daughter named My, on April 27, 2023. Less than two years later, in 2025, she gave birth to her son, Casey, on April 4.

Having two young children means that Pickle’s routine has fundamentally changed. She now wakes to the sound of baby cries before the sounds of the bayou. Her gear now includes a diaper bag alongside her hunting bag. Yet, she has not slowed down. Her strength, once only visible in her ability to handle a thrashing alligator, is now applied to the long days and nights of parenting.

Pickle’s enduring appeal lies in her authenticity. She remains the same tough, down-to-earth woman, still wearing her boots, still laughing easily, and still able to run a gator line in seconds. She and Joshua, who understands the demands of a life filled with long, difficult hours, operate as a true team, sharing the load of parenting. She still appears on Swamp People, a key part of the team working alongside Troy Landry, but now, when the cameras stop rolling, she heads home to her two little ones and her supportive husband.

For fans who worried, the answer is simple: Pickle Wheat did not leave Swamp People. Life simply directed her path toward enormous personal growth and happiness. She is successfully balancing her career as a gator hunter with her role as a wife and mother, proving that one can remain fiercely connected to their roots while building a beautiful, flourishing future. She continues to honor the legacy of her ancestors, preserving the traditions of the swamp while now also teaching her children to respect the land and its creatures—a new legacy in the making.