For longtime Expedition Bigfoot viewers, one of the biggest changes to the show has been impossible to miss.
Ronny LeBlanc is gone.
LeBlanc became one of the most recognizable investigators on the series after joining during Season 2. His strong belief in Bigfoot, field experience and chemistry with the rest of the team made him a favorite among many viewers.
But he did not simply disappear from the show.
He made the decision to leave.
And the circumstances surrounding his departure have generated plenty of discussion among Bigfoot fans.
Why Did Ronny LeBlanc Leave?
LeBlanc's departure happened after Season 4, meaning he was already gone when Season 5 premiered in 2024.
In a statement reported after his exit, LeBlanc said that leaving was his own decision and that he had several reasons for stepping away. He also specifically discussed controversy surrounding young British cryptozoology enthusiast Daniel Lee Barnett and said the situation contributed to his decision.
LeBlanc strongly objected to the criticism directed at Barnett and expressed frustration with what he viewed as divisions within the Bigfoot community.
Most importantly, LeBlanc denied that he had simply been pushed out of the show.
According to his own comments reported at the time, it was his decision to leave.
That makes some of the online theories about his departure misleading.
There is no solid evidence that Discovery secretly fired him because of his beliefs or because his theories were rejected by the other investigators.
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The Expedition Bigfoot Team Confirmed He Moved On
The show's own social media account later addressed the situation directly.
In a post responding to fans asking about LeBlanc, the Expedition Bigfoot team said that Ronny had moved on to other projects and wished him success.
That is probably the clearest public statement from the show itself.
So, while fans may have their own theories about exactly what happened behind the scenes, the available evidence points to a voluntary departure rather than a confirmed firing.
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Ronny Has Not Left the Bigfoot World
Leaving Expedition Bigfoot did not mean LeBlanc abandoned Bigfoot research.
Quite the opposite.
LeBlanc continues to work as an independent researcher, author and television personality, with his work extending into Bigfoot, UFOs and other unexplained phenomena.
He is also the author of Monsterland: Encounters With UFOs, Bigfoot and Orange Orbs, a book exploring his experiences and research.
So fans who miss seeing him on television can still find him involved in the wider Bigfoot and paranormal community.
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But Who Took His Place?
This is where things get interesting.
The show did not simply leave the team without another field investigator.
Biko Wright emerged as one of the newer faces of the investigation.
Wright brings a very different background to the team, with an emphasis on wilderness survival and outdoor skills.
His arrival helped change the dynamic of the show.
Instead of simply trying to recreate the original lineup, Expedition Bigfoot gradually developed a newer team configuration.
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Biko Wright Is Not Simply "Ronny 2.0"
It would be unfair to describe Wright as a direct replacement for LeBlanc.
The two investigators bring different strengths.
LeBlanc was known primarily for his years of Bigfoot research and strong belief in the phenomenon.
Wright's appeal comes more from his wilderness and survival experience.
That difference actually works in the show's favor.
Bigfoot investigations require more than someone who believes the creature exists.
Investigators have to move through difficult terrain, establish observation points, understand animal behavior and operate equipment in remote environments.
Wright's skill set fits that side of the investigation particularly well.
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The Current Show Looks Different From the Original
When Expedition Bigfoot first premiered, viewers became familiar with a particular group of investigators.
The original lineup included Bryce Johnson, Dr. Mireya Mayor, Russell Acord, Ronny LeBlanc and Ryan "RPG" Golembeske.
But television teams evolve.
LeBlanc eventually left.
New investigators became more prominent.
And the series continued.
Discovery's current official page describes Expedition Bigfoot as following an elite team of Bigfoot experts searching for the elusive creature, and its currently listed episodes include Season 6 investigations in Washington.
That means the show clearly moved forward after LeBlanc's departure.
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Could Ronny Ever Return?
This is one question fans continue to ask.
The answer is simple:
There is no confirmed announcement of a Ronny LeBlanc return.
His departure was his own decision, according to his comments reported at the time, and the show's own team subsequently said he had moved on to other projects.
That does not make a future guest appearance impossible.
Television shows sometimes bring former cast members back for special investigations or guest appearances.
But there is currently no reliable public confirmation that LeBlanc is returning as a regular member of the team.
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Will Someone New Join the Show?
That is a much more interesting question.
If Expedition Bigfoot continues into another season, there is always a possibility that Discovery could introduce another investigator.
But as of now, there is no official announcement confirming a new permanent replacement for Ronny LeBlanc.
Biko Wright has already become part of the newer team structure, so fans should be careful with articles claiming that Discovery has secretly hired a specific person for Season 7.
Unless Discovery or the production team announces it, it remains speculation.
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Why Fans Still Miss Ronny
LeBlanc brought something unusual to Expedition Bigfoot.
He wasn't afraid to openly embrace the possibility that Sasquatch could be real.
That created an interesting contrast with Dr. Mireya Mayor's more scientific approach.
For viewers, the difference made conversations between investigators particularly entertaining.
One person could say, "This could be Bigfoot."
Another could respond, "We need evidence."
That tension made the investigation feel like a genuine debate.
And that is probably why many longtime fans still notice his absence.
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The Show Has Not Stopped Looking
Despite the changes, the central mission remains the same.
The current Expedition Bigfoot team continues investigating reports and evidence associated with Sasquatch.
Discovery's official description still presents the series as an investigation into the elusive creature, while Season 6 episodes feature the team pursuing new leads and using different methods to search for evidence.
So LeBlanc's departure did not end the investigation.
It simply changed the people doing it.
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The Bigger Question Is Who Comes Next
If the series returns for another season, casting could become one of the most interesting parts of the announcement.
Will Discovery continue with the current team?
Will another experienced Bigfoot researcher join?
Could a scientist with a completely different specialty be introduced?
Or could a former investigator return?
At this point, there is no confirmed answer.
And that gives the network plenty of room to surprise viewers.
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Final Thoughts
Ronny LeBlanc's departure from Expedition Bigfoot was real, but the story is less mysterious than some online rumors suggest.
He left after Season 4 and publicly described the decision as his own. He also explained that controversy within the Bigfoot community was one of the factors behind his decision.
The Expedition Bigfoot team later confirmed that LeBlanc had moved on to other projects and wished him well.
Since then, Biko Wright has become one of the newer faces associated with the investigation, bringing survival and wilderness expertise to the team.
But there is currently no confirmed announcement of another permanent replacement for Ronny.
And perhaps that's exactly what makes the future interesting.
Because if Expedition Bigfoot gets another season, fans will not only be asking:
"Will they finally find Bigfoot?"
They will also be asking:
"Who is going into the forest with them?"