Rick Ness, a gold miner and television personality known for his appearances on the reality TV series "Gold Rush," has undergone some changes in his facial appearance, which has prompted speculation about what happened to his face. There are several theories about what caused the changes, but no official confirmation exists. Here are some of the most popular theories:

• Mining accident: During season 10 of "Gold Rush," Rick Ness suffered a severe mining accident that resulted in a broken jaw, missing teeth, and subsequent surgeries. It is possible that his altered facial appearance is a result of scarring and asymmetry over time.

• Plastic surgery: Some fans have speculated that Rick Ness may have undergone plastic surgery, but there is no definitive evidence supporting this theory.

• Drug addiction and brawl: According to some speculations on social media, Rick Ness may have been addicted to drugs and even engaged in some sort of brawl, leading to the change in his appearance.

• Depression: Rick Ness has been suffering from depression following his mothers death in 2018. In the second episode of the thirteenth season, it looked like Rick Ness’ facial features had changed slightly, but no related information was revealed. However, fans across social media speculate that he may have been in a fight and went hard on drugs. Thus, he decided to leave the show in 2022.

Despite the various theories, the exact cause of Rick Nesss altered facial appearance remains unknown.