In the midst of major legal drama, tragedy strikes the family of Joe and Theresa Giudice, stars of Bravo’s hit series, “The Real Housewives of New Jersey,”. Frank Giudice, the 63-year-old father of Joe Giudice, unexpectedly lost his life June 18. While there has not been a public statement from the reality television star and his family, reports surfaced that the grandfather to the couple’s four young daughters was working in the garden of Joe and Theresa’s New Jersey home when he collapsed.

Media outlets have reported that the Housewives star’s father-in-law was a healthy man with no known health issues, and that it is believed his death was caused by a massive heart attack. The news comes as a shock to the family, who has been struggling with legal matters for some time now. Charged with multiples counts of fraud and other financially-related crimes, both Joe and Theresa Giudice face time in jail.

According to the Giudice’s lawyer, the couple’s impending sentencing date has been postponed until September in wake of their recent loss. The couple plead guilty to several charges, including conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, bankruptcy fraud and failing to pay taxes for a total of 41 counts. The original sentencing date was scheduled for July 8. For his crimes, Joe Giudice is looking at spending as many as 46 months in prison. Because he never took the time to become a US citizen, he also faces the possibility of being deported to Italy. Theresa Giudice could spend up to 27 months behind bars.

The couple has asked to complete their jail time separately in consideration of their four children. Whether or not Frank Giudice’s death will have any further impact on their sentencing is unknown, but it is possible given the fact that care is needed for the couple’s four daughters if they are sentenced and serve their time together.

(Photo by Kena Betancur/Getty Images)

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