‘Deadliest Catch’ Stars Who Died: Todd Meadows, Phil Harris & More
Since Deadliest Catch first premiered in 2005, viewers have gotten to know various captains and deckhands from vessels hunting crab in Dutch Harbor, Alaska. While there have been several cast members who’ve been on the show for years, others have left the Discovery Channel series, and others, sadly, are no longer with us.
Some Deadliest Catch stars actually died while crab fishing in the treacherous northern seas. Most recently, Todd Meadows succumbed to the rough waters. He was working on Rick Shelford‘s Aleutian Lady boat in the Bering Sea when he fell overboard into waters that were just a “degree or two above freezing.” Despite rescue efforts that lasted nearly an hour, Todd did not survive.
Perhaps one of the most devastating deaths for fans, though, was that of Phil Harris, who suffered a stroke while working in 2010. Days later, he died in the hospital, surrounded by his loved ones.
Scroll down to remember these and other Deadliest Catch stars we’ve lost.
Deadliest Catch, Season 22, Fridays, 8/7c, Discovery Channel
Todd Meadows
Meadows was fishing on the Aleutian Lady when he fell overboard in February 2026.
“It’s one of those things that none of us really understand. I don’t know what happened,” deckhand John Green III told Page Six. After falling into the water, Meadows got caught inside one of the crab pots and fought his way out. It took three or four minutes for a rescue swimmer to get him back on the boat.
Unfortunately, life-saving efforts were unsuccessful. Meadows was just 25 years old when he died.
Phil Harris
Harris suffered a stroke aboard the Cornelia Marie in 2010. A crew member found him “paralyzed” on the floor of his room and he was rushed to the hospital.
The fisherman was placed in a medically-induced coma, but seemed to be improving when he came out of it. He was even starting physical therapy and had begun walking and talking again.
However, shortly after showing improvements, he told a friend, “I don’t feel as good as I did yesterday.” He wound up dying from an intracranial hemorrhage (brain bleed) in the hospital.
Mahlon Reyes
Mahlon Reyes, a deckhand, died of an accidental drug overdose (specifically, acute cocaine intoxication), according to USA Today. He was 38 when he died in 2021.
Nick McGlashan
In December 2020, Nick McGlashan, who worked as a deck boss, died at the age of 33 from a drug overdose.
Tom Brossard
In January 2024, Tom Brossard died at the age of 64 from a heart attack. He had been working as an engineer on the Saga at the time of his death, according to his obituary.
Todd Kochutin
In 2021, Todd Kochutin died “as a result of injuries sustained while on board F/V Patricia Lee,” according to his online obituary. He was 30 years old and had been working as a deckhand.
Tony Lara
Tony Lara previously captained the Cornelia Marie. He died in his sleep after suffering a heart attack in 2015.
Nick Mavar
Nick Mavar, who worked on the Northwestern with Sig Hansen and appeared in more than 100 episodes of Deadliest Catch, had a heart attack and died at age 59 in 2024.
Prior to his death, Mavar’s appendix ruptured in 2020 and doctors discovered a cancerous tumor.
Justin Tennison
In February 2011, Justin Tennison died at the age of 33. He worked as a deckhand for the Time Bandit.
Tennison died due to complications from sleep apnea, ABC News reported.
Blake Painter
Blake Painter, who once captained the Maverick, was 38 when he died in May 2018. Per TMZ, police were called to his home after a friend grew concerned over not seeing him for a few days. There were reportedly drugs found by his body when officials arrived on the scene.
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