Todd Meadows, who appeared on the popular fishing reality show Deadliest Catch, has died. He was 25. Captain Rick Shelford shared the heartbreaking news in an emotional Facebook post on Sunday, revealing that Meadows passed away on Feb. 25.
“February 25, 2026 was the most tragic day in the history of the Aleutian Lady on the Bering Sea.
We lost our brother, Todd Meadows
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.
Todd’s love for his children, his family, and his life was evident in everything he did. He worked hard, loved deeply, and brought joy to those around him.
Right now, our hearts are broken in a way that words can’t fully express.
We ask that you lift Todd’s children and family in prayer and keep them in your thoughts as they face the days ahead without him.
Todd will forever be part of this boat, this crew, and this brotherhood. Though we lost him far too soon, his legacy will live on through his children and in every memory we carry of him.
Rest easy brother, till we meet again.”
No official cause of death has been confirmed. However, a source told TMZ that Meadows allegedly died in a “fishing-related” incident while cameras for Deadliest Catch were filming. It remains unclear whether the incident was captured on video, according to Page Six.
Deadliest Catch has aired on the Discovery Channel since debuting in April 2005. Its most recent installment, Season 25, premiered in August 2025. Deadliest Catch is a long-running reality series that follows commercial crab fishermen battling extreme conditions in the Bering Sea. Premiering in 2005 on the Discovery Channel, the show documents the high-risk world of Alaskan crab fishing, where crews endure freezing temperatures, towering waves and grueling hours in pursuit of valuable king and snow crab.
The series focuses on captains and deckhands aboard different vessels, highlighting the physical dangers, personal sacrifices and intense rivalries that define the industry. Known for its raw storytelling and dramatic at-sea footage, Deadliest Catch offers viewers a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most dangerous jobs in the world.
In the wake of Meadows’ passing, a GoFundMe has been created in his memory. So far, almost $15,000 has been raised.
