A Washington state fisherman who appeared on the Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch has died at just 25 years old.
Todd Meadows, a deckhand featured on the long-running reality series about Alaskan crab fishing, died on Wednesday, Feb. 25, according to a tribute shared by his captain.
Captain Rick Shelford announced the death in a Facebook post on Monday, March 2, describing the loss as a devastating moment for the crew of the fishing vessel Aleutian Lady.
“February 25, 2026 was the most tragic day in the history of the Aleutian Lady on the Bering Sea,” Shelford wrote in the post. “We lost our brother, Todd Meadows.”
Shelford said Meadows had recently joined the crew but quickly became part of the tight-knit team working aboard the boat.
“He quickly became family,” Shelford wrote. “His love for fishing and his strong work ethic earned everyone’s respect right away.”
The captain also described Meadows as a devoted father whose love for his children and family shaped everything he did.
“Todd’s love for his children, his family, and his life was evident in everything he did,” Shelford wrote. “He worked hard, loved deeply, and brought joy to those around him.”
Shelford said the crew is mourning the loss while asking supporters to keep Meadows’ children and family in their thoughts.
No official cause of death has been publicly released. However, the entertainment outlet TMZ reported that Meadows died during a fishing-related incident that occurred while filming Deadliest Catch.
A spokesperson for the Discovery Channel confirmed the loss in a statement.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Todd Meadows,” the network said in a statement. “This is a devastating loss, and our hearts are with his loved ones, his crewmates, and the entire fishing community during this incredibly difficult time.”
Meadows was a Grays Harbor County native from Montesano.
A GoFundMe campaign launched to support his family describes him as a father of three young boys who “left us far too soon while doing what he loved — crabbing out on Alaskan waters.”
The fundraiser states that the donations will help support Meadows’ children, cover funeral expenses, and provide financial support to his family in the months ahead.
Meadows is the latest member of the Deadliest Catch community to die in recent years. Veteran deckhand Nick Marvar died in June 2024 following what was described as a medical emergency. Deck boss Nick McGlashan died in 2020 at age 33, and former captain Blake Painter was found dead in his Astoria, Oregon home in 2018 at age 38.
Other cast members who have died over the years include Captain Phil Harris, deckhand Justin Tennison, and Captain Tony Lara.
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