Tragedy has struck Deadliest Catch after one of its young crew members died at sea. Todd Meadows, a deckhand aboard the Aleutian Lady, died at 25. His captain and the network confirmed the news in statements this week.
Todd Meadows passes away at 25, Captain Rick Shelford Confirms
Deadliest Catch deckhand Todd Meadows has died at 25.
Meadows died on February 25 while sailing aboard the Aleutian Lady on the Bering Sea with Captain Rick Shelford. Captain Shelford confirmed the death in a social media post, calling it the “most tragic day in the history of the Aleutian Lady on the Bering Sea.”
Shelford wrote, “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.” He added, “Right now, our hearts are broken in a way that words can’t fully express.”
According to Deadline and TMZ, the incident occurred during filming for Season 22 of the Discovery Channel series. Production has since concluded. Authorities have not publicly disclosed details surrounding the nature of Meadows’ death.
A Discovery Channel spokesperson said, “We are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Todd Meadows. 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 joined the Aleutian Lady crew as its newest member and leaves behind his wife and three children. In a social media post, his grandmother Connie Lambert wrote, “I know there is no one to blame for this, but it certainly doesn’t make it any easier to digest!”
Paige Knutson of Elma, Washington, started a GoFundMe that raised nearly $20,000 for funeral expenses within four days.
