Deadliest Catch deaths: How many guys have died on the show?
The show, Deadliest Catch, is deadly indeed as the cast and crew are frequently up against the harshest conditions one could imagine at sea. Since the show's inception in 2005, some cast members who were fan favourites have passed away in circumstances that are sometimes unrelated to the show. What are the Deadliest Catch deaths as of 2025?
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Reality television shows are all about showcasing real-life events. Often, fans create a strong bond with the cast because of the raw footage.
- Some original cast members of Deadliest Catch died under different circumstances.
- This article explores some of the show's renowned figures who passed away.
Deadliest Catch deaths
How many people from Deadliest Catch have died? The Discovery Channel series has captivated fans for 16 seasons, but the cast has faced its share of tragedy. Here is a list of all Deadliest Catch deaths that have been confirmed as of 2025.
| Cast member | Cause of death | Date of death |
| Nick McGlashan | unknown | 27 December 2020 |
| Blake Painter | drug overdose | May 2018 |
| Phill Harris | Stroke | 9 February 2010 |
| Justin Tennison | Sleep Apnea | Feb 2011 |
| Joe McMahon | Gun shot | July 2015 |
| Tony Lara | heart attack | 8 August 2015 |
| Dr Keith Anderson | Unknown | 2010 (missing), 2012 (remains discovered |
| Mahlon Reyes | drug overdose | July 2020 |
| Todd Kochutin | Crushed by an 800-pound crab pot | 26 February 2021 |
| Ross Jones | Unknown | 22 June 2022 |
| Nick Mavar | Unknown | 13 June 2024 |
| Tom Brossard | Unknown | 27 January 2024 |
Nick McGlashan
Source: UGC
- Name: Nick McGlashan
- Date of birth: 1987
- Died: 27 December 2020
- Age: 33 years at the time of death
- Cause of death: unknown
Nick McGlashan, who worked as a deck boss on the reality television show, perished in December 2020. He had appeared on 78 episodes since 2013. A spokesperson confirmed his passing by releasing a press statement that read:
Our deepest sympathy goes out to Nick's loved ones during this difficult time. Nick came from a long line of crabbers and was known for his incredible depth of knowledge. He also had a sharp sense of humour, even in the most difficult conditions. He will be deeply missed by all those who knew him.
So, how did Nick die on Deadliest Catch? According to TMZ, he died of unknown causes. The deck boss had previously struggled with drug abuse. These drug problems led to his termination in the thirteenth season, and he went to rehabilitation.
Blake Painter
Source: UGC
- Name: Blake Painter
- Date of birth: 1980
- Date of death: May 2018
- Age: 38 years at the time of death
- Cause of death: drug overdose
Blake Painter was discovered dead in his home in Astoria, Oregon, in May 2018. He was the captain of the F/V Maverick that appeared in the Discovery Channel's series in 2006 and 2007.
A friend was concerned about his safety after not hearing from him for several days. They found him dead in his house. The police discovered various drugs at the scene of his death. He most likely died from an accidental overdose.
Blake was an incredible and amazingly talented crab fisherman and openly expressed his love-hate relationship with his career.
Phill Harris
Source: UGC
- Name: Phill Harris
- Date of birth: 24th June 1904
- Date of death: 9 February 2010
- Age: 53 years at the time of death
- Cause of death: Stroke
Phill Harris joined the list of the Deadliest Catch deaths in 2010. The decorated captain of the Cornelia suffered a stroke while offloading a crab in Alaska on January 29. He was discovered by an engineer who called his son, who alerted emergency services. Phil underwent an emergency cranial surgery, which didn't save his life, and he died at the age of 53.
Josh, his son, recalled the last moments with his father:
We had nine days total that we were there to enjoy a few moments with him. We had our closest people there, and it was awesome.
Justin Tennison
- Name: Justin Tennison
- Date of birth: 27 Mar 1977
- Date of death: 22 Feb 2011
- Age: 33 years at the time of death
- Cause of death: Sleep Apnea
Justin Tennison worked as the deckhand on the Time Bandit ship. According to police reports, in 2011, he was found dead in the Best Western Bidarka Inn in Homer, Alaska. This was only four days after he returned from the sea. He was 33 years old at the time of his death.
Autopsy results revealed that Justin Tennison died from complications associated with sleep apnea. A statement posted on the Time Bandit page read:
It is with great sadness that the Time Bandit family announces the death of crew member Justin Tennison. Justin died peacefully in his sleep. We will miss him terribly and wish his family all the best during this most difficult time. Justin is survived by a son, daughter, sister, father and grandparents.
Joe McMahon
- Name: Joe McMahon
- Date of birth: 1990
- Date of death: July 2015
- Age: 25 years at the time of death
- Cause of death: Gunshot
Joe McMahon was shot and killed close to his parents' home in Pasadena, California, in July 2015. He was only 25 years old. He was an associate producer of the Deadliest Catch and worked for nine episodes.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department later reported that they found the alleged perpetrator of the crime dead in his car with what appeared like self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
Tony Lara
Source: UGC
- Name: Tony Lara
- Date of birth: 1965
- Date of death: 8 August 2015
- Age: 50 years at the time of death
- Cause of death: heart attack
Tony Lara suffered a major heart attack in 2015 at 50 years old. The former captain of the Cornelia Marie was attending a motorcycle rally the weekend he passed away. The captain began working on the Cornelia Marie in 1990. Tony Lara is one of the two captains to die on Deadliest Catch.
Although he only appeared in six episodes of the reality television show, he made a massive impact. His fellow captain, Keith Colburn, told PEOPLE that Tony was a professional and people enjoyed his company.
Dr Keith Anderson
- Name: Dr Keith Anderson
- Date of death: 2010 (missing), 2012 (remains discovered)
- Cause of death: Unknown
Dr Keith's story is one of the most mysterious. He went missing in 2010, and two years later, his remains were discovered by a hiker a mile away from where his truck was abandoned. He joins the list of the Deadliest Catch deaths.
Numerous reports state that Anderson was last seen going to meet an unknown acquaintance in the Arlington region. That was the only night that he spent away from his wife of 43 years. Until today, people have never understood the death of Dr Keith Anderson and the circumstances that led to the tragedy.
Mahlon Reyes
Source: UGC
- Name: Mahlon Reyes
- Date of birth: 1982
- Date of death: July 2020
- Age: 38 years
- Cause of death: drug overdose
Mahlon Reyes died in July 2020 at 38 years old. The county coroner ruled the cause of death to be drug overdose, according to USA Today. He worked as a deckhand on the crab boats, Seabrooke & Cape Caution. According to his wife, Mahlon’s remains were cremated and the ashes spread in the Bering Sea, where he practised his trade.
Todd Kochutin
Source: UGC
- Name: Todd Kochutin
- Date of birth: 1991
- Date of death: 26 February 2021
- Age: 30 years
- Cause of death: Crushed by an 800-pound crab pot
Todd Kochutin was one of the most beloved members of Deadliest Catch, and his passing shocked many fans of the show. He was crushed by an 800-pound crab pot while working on the F/V Patricia Lee. At the age of 30, he was among the youngest cast members to die. He is survived by his parents and siblings.
Ross Jones
Source: UGC
- Name: Ross Jones
- Date of death: 22 June 2022
- Cause of death: Unknown
Ross Jones was part of the crew of the F/V Saga. His bubblish personality made him a fan-favorite. Although his death was announced on the Deadliest Catch Facebook Page, his family chose to keep the details surrounding his death private. Ross is survived by his partner Chloe and their son
Nick Mavar
Source: UGC
- Name: Nick Mavar
- Date of birth: 1975
- Date of death: 13 June 2024
- Age: 59 years at the time of death
Another Deadliest Catch cast member to have recently perished is Nick Mavar. He served as a maintenace mechanic on the F/V Northwestern,appearing in nearly 100 episodes. Nick left the show due to an appendix problem. He died later that year after a medical emergency. His cause of death remains unknown.
Tom Brossard
- Name: Tom Brossard
- Date of birth: 1960
- Date of death: 27 January 2024
- Age: 64 years
- Cause of death: Unknown
Tom Brossard was an engineer on the Saga and was the best friend of Jake Anderson, the vessel's captain. The Deadliest Catch cast member's death was announced during an episode that aired on 24 September 2024. While the details surrounding his death remain uncertain, Tom's wife believes he died of a heart attack.
What boat sank on the Deadliest Catch?
If you have watched the Deadliest Catch, you have seen firsthand how dangerous the Bering Sea can sometimes be, and the cast and crew are all exposed to such realities. That is why some of the boats featured in the show have sunk.
Here are some of the Deadliest Catch boats that have sunk.
The Ocean Challenger
The Ocean Challenger sank in 2006 off the coast of Alaska, resulting in one of the most regrettable Deadliest Catch deaths at sea. The boat capsized for unknown reasons, killing Skipper David Cowboy Hasselquist of Hoonah, Alaska, and Walter Foster of Westport, Washington. Only one survivor who was wearing a survival suit made it alive.
The Destination
The Destination sank into the Bering Sea in 2017, taking the lives of crew members Charles Glenn Jones, Larry O’Grady, Raymond Vincler, Darrik Seibold, Kai Hamik, and Captain Jeff Hathaway.
The Scandies Rose
The boat tragically sank around New Year's Day in 2020 with seven crew members aboard. Two were immediately recovered, but five were still being looked for around Sutwik Island. Unfortunately, the five were confirmed dead, and they are long-time captain Gary Cobban Jr., his son, David Cobban, Seth Rosseau-Gano, Arthur Ganacias, and Brock Rainey.
How many people from Deadliest Catch have died?
According to this list, at least 12 Deadliest Catch cast members have died.
What was the worst accident on Deadliest Catch?
It is difficult to determine the worst accident on deadliest catch, as the Bering sea is one of the most harzadous areas on the open ocean. However, some tragic accidents, including the sinking of The Ocean Challenger and The Destination, tragedies that claimed a total of 8 lives.
Which captain had a stroke on Deadliest Catch?
Captain Phil Harris of the Cornelia Marie experienced a stroke while offloading crab during Season 6 of Deadliest Catch.
What happened to Wild Bill from Deadliest Catch?
Wild Bill has been a regular on Deadliest Catch for years. However, the former captain received scary news at the end of Season 19. Wild Bill, also known as Wichrowski, announced that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. As a result, many Deadliest Catch fans were worried about Wild Bill's heightened risk of death.
I was hoping that the fact that I kept going, it would show people that if you have this, you can keep working. You can keep your life moving. I wasn’t going to stop unless I had to..
In a recent update, Wichrowski said he “seem[ed] to be cancer free.” He took to Facebook to share the news with his fans:
Lots of folks asking about cancer treatment progress. Recap, Radioactive seeds and hormone treatment. Happy to say numbers Are great. Not complaining purely for information. The hormone thing is necessary but for me not w/o issues. Testerone [sic] drops to near zero by design. You can google results of that. I seem to be cancer free now.
For those wondering, who from Deadliest Catch have died? Several stars from the reality TV show have met their demise — including Nick Mavar, Phill Harris, and Tom Brossard, among others. Although most Deadliest Catch deaths are unrelated to the reality television show's happenings, their passing in huge numbers sparks concern.
Are you wondering about famous Indian celebrities who have died in 2020? Tuko.co.ke featured an interesting article about India's famous personalities who lost their lives all of a sudden.
Often, a famous personality's passing is big news in the entertainment industry as news outlets dig to find out more about their death circumstances. Some have died from natural causes, while others have died from long-term or short-term illnesses.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
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