Frank Caprio, the ‘nicest judge in the world, dies at 88 after cancer battle

Judge Frank Caprio, who won over hearts worldwide with his compassion and humanity, died on August 20 after a valiant fight with pancreatic cancer. He was 88. His death was confirmed in a statement posted on his Instagram account.“Beloved for his compassion, modesty and unwavering belief in the goodness of people, Judge Caprio touched the lives of millions through his work in the courtroom and beyond. His warmth, humour, and kindness left an indelible mark on all who knew him,” the statement read.

Besides being a well-respected judge, he will be remembered as a “devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend,” the statement added. “His legacy lives on in the countless acts of kindness he inspired.”

Several users expressed grief and condolences on the beloved judge’s death.“My God, what sad news. My total admiration. A gentleman of honour and justice. My condolences to his entire family. A great man has been lost, and he has gained an angel in heaven. God bless you,” one user commented.

“May you rest in peace, Judge Caprio! You were an amazing and compassionate man!” read a second comment.

“Rest in Peace, Judge Caprio, this is heartbreaking, compassionate, inspirational Man, lots of love & always in prayers,” said another.Judge Caprio became famous for his sympathetic approach to cases on Caught in Providencea show that ran from 2018 to 2020 and was nominated for several Daytime Emmy Awards.

In recent years, the show, based on real cases and people in Rhode Island’s Providence Municipal Court, has been popular on social media as viewers have praised Caprio’s empathy in the courtroom.

Regular hearings became viral events due to his ability to combine justice and compassion. His YouTube views at one point approached half a billion, and he was lovingly referred to as ‘Nicest Judge in the World’ by social media users, according to PEOPLE.

In his final days, Judge Caprio shared health updates with his millions of followers. In a heartfelt post a day before his death, he asked his followers for prayers, reflecting on the strength their support gave him during his battle with cancer.

“As I continue this difficult battle, your prayers will lift my spirit… I ask you again, if it’s not too much, that you can remember me in your prayers. I’m a great believer in the power of prayers,” Caprio said in the video.

Caprio, who was born in Providence, Rhode Island, was a municipal judge for many years before his courtroom was shown on television. His conviction that justice should always involve kindness, fairness, and respect for human dignity was emphasised in the show, Caught in Providence.

Judge Caprio was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2023, which he revealed in an emotional video posted on Instagram. He said the diagnosis coincided with his birthday the previous month, which is usually “one of the happiest days of the year for me.”