Deadliest Catch has shown how dangerous the life of a crab fisherman can be, and the deaths of several cast members over the years have only further proved it.
The Discovery Channel series premiered in April 2005, introducing viewers to the world of commercial fishing. Deadliest Catch follows a crew as they hunt for crab amid treacherous conditions on the high seas.
A career as a fisherman is not an easy one, and several stars have suffered serious health conditions that led to their death. In 2010, Phil Harris, who was a captain, died at age 53 after suffering a stroke. The following year, deckhand Justin Tennison died due to complications from sleep apnea. He was 33.
New cast member Todd Meadows died at age 25 in February 2026 while filming season 22.
Keep scrolling to see which Deadliest Catch cast members have died over the years:
Phil Harris
Phil Harris was the captain and part owner of the F/V Cornelia Marie, which has been featured on multiple seasons. In January 2010, Harris suffered a stroke while he was offloading opilio crab in Saint Paul Island, Alaska. He was flown to a hospital in Anchorage for surgery. Harris was placed in an induced coma to reduce the pressure and swelling in his head.
Harris awoke from the coma and began to show signs of improvement but then suffered another intracranial hemorrhage. Harris died in February 2010.
“It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our dad,” Harris’ sons, Josh and Jake, said in a statement at the time. “Dad has always been a fighter and continued to be until the end. For us and the crew, he was someone who never backed down. We will remember and celebrate that strength. Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers.”
Justin Tennison
Justin Tennison was a deckhand on the Time Bandit. After returning from sea, Tennison was found dead in a hotel room in Replica Luxury Handbagr, Alaska, in February 2011. He was 33. An autopsy later revealed his cause of death was due to complications from sleep apnea, per ABC News.
Tony Lara
Tony Lara served as a relief captain on the Cornelia Marie. In August 2015, Lara died at 50 after suffering a heart attack.
Blake Painter
Blake Painter was the captain of the F/V Maverick. Painter was found dead at his home in Astoria, Oregon, in May 2018. He was 38. According to a police report obtained by People at the time, there were multiple forms of drugs, including what police believed to be heroin and meth, located near Painter’s body.
Mahlon Reyes
Mahlon Reyes was a deckhand on multiple ships, including the Seabrooke and Cape Caution. Reyes died in July 2020 after suffering a heart attack. He was 38. An autopsy report obtained by USA Today in January 2021 revealed that Reyes’ cause of death was cocaine intoxication, and it was ruled an accidental drug overdose.
Nick McGlashan
Fans knew Nick McGlashan as the deck boss on the Summer Bay. In December 2020, McGlashan died at 33.
“Our deepest sympathy goes out to Nick’s loved ones during this difficult time,” Discovery Channel said in a statement to CNN. “Nick came from a long line of crabbers and was known for his great depth of knowledge. He also had a sharp sense of humor even in the most difficult conditions. He will be deeply missed by all those who knew him.”
It was later reported that McGlashan’s cause of death was a drug overdose, per The Sun.
Todd Kochutin
Todd Kochutin was a deckhand on the Patricia Lee. While working on the boat in February 2021, Kochutin was severely injured after being hit with a crab pot, which is a cage that weighs up to 800 pounds. A medevac was called to assist Kochutin, but he died shortly thereafter. He was 30.
Nick Mavar
Nick Mavar was a deckhand on the F/V Northwestern. Mavar left the show after his appendix was ruptured in 2020. He was later diagnosed with a cancerous tumor. While Mavar left Deadliest Catch, he continued to work as a fisherman. In June 2024, Mavar suffered a heart attack while preparing for salmon season in a boatyard in Naknek, Alaska. He was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. Mavar was 59.
Todd Meadows
Todd Meadows was a deckhand on the Aleutian Lady. The ship’s captain, Rick Shelford, confirmed Meadows’ death in March 2026.
“February 25, 2026 was the most tragic day in the history of the Aleutian Lady on the Bering Sea. We lost our brother, Todd Meadows,” he wrote via Facebook. “Todd was the newest member of our crew, he quickly became family. His love for fishing and his strong work ethic earned everyone’s respect right away. His smile was contagious, and the sound of his laughter coming up the wheelhouse stairs or over the deck hailer is something we will carry with us always.”
Meadows was 25.
