The cause of death for Deadliest Catch star Todd Meadows has been confirmed as drowning with probable hypothermia, according to his death certificate obtained by TMZ. The 25-year-old deckhand fell overboard while filming the Discovery Channel series on February 25 aboard the Aleutian Lady fishing boat.
Meadows was found unresponsive ten minutes after going into the water off the coast of Alaska, the US Coast Guard reported. Despite first aid and resuscitation attempts, he could not be revived. The Coast Guard is investigating the incident to determine the cause and any necessary corrective actions.
In the wake of the tragedy, Todd's mother, Angela, has asked Discovery Channel not to broadcast any footage of the accident. 'We do not want Discovery to air any of that footage or make money off of our son's death,' she told TMZ in March. She also requested copies of her son's footage from the boat.
Captain Rick Shelford, who has appeared on the show since 2023, called it 'the most tragic day in the history of the Aleutian Lady.' In a Facebook post, he remembered Todd's 'contagious smile' and strong work ethic, adding that 'his love for his children, his family, and his life was evident in everything he did.'
Discovery Channel expressed their condolences, stating, 'We are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Todd Meadows. Our hearts are with his loved ones, his crewmates, and the entire fishing community.' The Aleutian Lady was the last vessel featured in the upcoming 22nd season still at sea; filming concluded shortly after the incident.
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to support Meadows' wife and three children. The show, which premiered in 2005, follows king crab fishermen in Alaska and is known for the high risks associated with the profession.
