The cause of death for Todd Meadows, a 25-year-old deckhand on the reality TV series Deadliest Catch, has been confirmed as drowning with probable hypothermia, according to his death certificate. Meadows died on February 25 after falling overboard while working on the fishing vessel Aleutian Lady in the Bering Sea, about 170 miles north of Dutch Harbor, Alaska. The incident occurred during commercial crab fishing, and the manner of death was ruled an accident by the Alaska Department of Health.
The U.S. Coast Guard received a distress call just after 5 p.m. local Alaska time that a crew member had fallen overboard. According to the Coast Guard, Meadows was recovered unresponsive by the crew around ten minutes later. Despite attempts to resuscitate him, he could not be revived and was transported to Dutch Harbor. The Coast Guard is currently investigating the circumstances of the accident.
Meadows, who joined the Aleutian Lady crew in May 2025, had not yet appeared on ‘Deadliest Catch.’ Cameras were reportedly filming for season 22 when the incident happened. His mother, Angela Meadows, has requested that footage of her son’s death not be aired, expressing that “no parent would want the world to watch their child die,” according to the Los Angeles Times.
Captain Rick Shelford of the Aleutian Lady called the day Meadows died “the most tragic day in the history” of the boat. On social media, 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.”
Meadows, originally from Montesano, Washington, was the father of three young boys. A fundraising campaign set up for his children has raised more than $60,000.
Authorities continue to investigate the incident, while Meadows’ family and colleagues remember him for his dedication, positive spirit, and love for fishing.
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