Todd Meadows, who appeared as a deckhand on the Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch, has died at the age of 25.
The news was confirmed in a Facebook post shared by Captain Rick Shelford, which included photos of the late fisherman.
Shelford shared that Meadows died on February 25, calling it “the most tragic day in the history of the Aleutian Lady on the Bering Sea.”
Meadows hadn’t been with the crew very long before his passing. He was the newest member on board.
“His love for fishing and his strong work ethic earned everyone’s respect right away,” Shelford wrote. 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.”
The post continued, “Todd’s love for his children, his family, and his life was evident in everything he did,” Shelford added. “He worked hard, loved deeply, and brought joy to those around him. Right now, our hearts are broken in a way that words can’t fully express. We ask that you lift Todd’s children and family in prayer and keep them in your thoughts as they face the days ahead without him.
“Todd will forever be part of this boat, this crew, and this brotherhood. Though we lost him far too soon, his legacy will live on through his children and in every memory we carry of him. Rest easy brother, till we meet again.”
As of now, Meadows’ exact cause of death has not been confirmed. However, TMZ reported that sources claim he died during an incident that happened while the crew was out fishing for filming.
The show follows commercial crab fishermen working in the Bering Sea near Alaska. They often face extremely dangerous conditions, including heavy storms, freezing temperatures, and hazardous equipment.
The show, which has been on the air since 2005, has experienced tragedy before. In 2019, three fishermen, Joshua Porter, James Lacy, and Stephen Boernacki, were killed when a boat that was set to appear on Deadliest Catch: Dungeon Cove capsized in Newport, Oregon.
In 2024, longtime deckhand Nick Mavar also passed away after suffering a medical emergency.
A GoFundMe has been created to help cover Meadows’ funeral expenses and to support the three sons he leaves behind.
“We are heartbroken to share the sudden passing of Todd Morgan Meadows, a beloved 25-year-old father, son, brother and friend ,who left us far too soon while doing what he loved — crabbing out on Alaskan waters,” the fundraiser reads. “He was a determined dad to three amazing little boys who were his entire world. Everything he did was for them — their smiles, their futures, and the memories they will carry with them.
“This unimaginable loss has left his children without their father, his parents without their son, his siblings without their brother and his family broken,” it continues. “As the family navigates this heartbreaking time, we are raising funds to help support his three boys, assist with funeral expenses, and help ease the financial burden in the months ahead. Any donation, no matter the size, will go directly toward honoring his life and ensuring his boys are cared for in the way he would have wanted. If you are unable to give, please keep our family in your prayers and his name alive like he wanted.”
The fundraiser has a goal of $45,000, and at the time of writing, more than $29,000 has already been raised.