Todd Meadows, 'deadliest Catch' Deckhand, Dies At 25

Todd Meadows, a crewmember connected 1 of nan sportfishing vessels featured connected nan long-running reality bid “Deadliest Catch,” has died. He was 25.

Rick Shelford, nan skipper of nan Aleutian Lady, announced successful a Monday station connected Facebook and Instagram that Meadows died Feb. 25. He called it “the astir tragic time successful nan history of nan Aleutian Lady connected nan Bering Sea.”

“We mislaid our brother,” Shelford wrote successful his lengthy tribute. “Todd was nan newest personnel of our crew, he quickly became family. His emotion for sportfishing and his beardown activity ethic earned everyone’s respect correct away. His grin was contagious, and nan sound of his laughter coming up nan wheelhouse stairs aliases complete nan platform hailer is thing we will transportation pinch america always.

“He worked hard, loved deeply, and brought joyousness to those astir him,” he added. “Todd will everlastingly beryllium portion of this boat, this crew, and this brotherhood. Though we mislaid him acold excessively soon, his bequest will unrecorded connected done his children and successful each representation we transportation of him.”

A fundraiser group up successful Meadows’ sanction described nan deckhand from Montesano, Wash., arsenic a begetter to “three astonishing small boys” who died “while doing what he loved — crabbing retired connected Alaskan waters.”

According to nan Associated Press, Meadows died aft he was reported to person fallen overboard astir 170 miles northbound of Dutch Harbor, Alaska.

“He was recovered unresponsive by nan unit astir 10 minutes later,” Chief Petty Officer Travis Magee, a spokesperson pinch nan Coast Guard’s Arctic District, told nan AP. The Coast Guard is investigating nan incident.

Meadows was a first-year formed personnel of “Deadliest Catch,” nan Discovery Channel reality bid that follows crab fishermen navigating nan perilous winds and waves of nan Bering Sea during nan Alaskan king crab and snowfall crab sportfishing seasons. The show debuted successful 2005. No episodes from Meadows’ play has aired.

Deadline reported that nan show was successful accumulation connected its 22nd play erstwhile nan incident occurred, pinch nan Shelford-led Aleutian Lady being nan past of nan vessels still retired astatine oversea astatine nan time. Production has subsequently concluded, per nan outlet.

“We are profoundly saddened by nan tragic passing of Todd Meadows,” a Discovery Channel spokesperson said successful a connection that has been wide circulated. “This is simply a devastating loss, and our hearts are pinch his loved ones, his crewmates, and nan full sportfishing organization during this incredibly difficult time.”

Meadows is nan latest among “Deadliest Catch” formed members who person died. Previous deaths see Phil Harris, a skipper of 1 of nan ships featured connected nan show, who died aft suffering a changeable while filming nan show’s sixth play successful 2010. Todd Kochutin, a unit personnel of nan Patricia Lee, died successful 2021 from injuries he sustained while aboard nan sportfishing vessel, according to an obituary. Other formed members person died from constituent maltreatment aliases earthy causes.