Remembering The Lives Lost On Deadliest Catch: A Tribute To The Fallen Fishermen

Remembering The Lives Lost On Deadliest Catch: A Tribute To The Fallen Fishermen

The popular Discovery Channel reality series isn’t named Deadliest Catch simply for dramatic purposes. Revolving around the lives and professions of various crab fishermen, the show captures not just the excitement of the catch but also the dangers that come with it. Over the years, several stars of this gripping series have tragically passed away, reminding us of the risks involved in this perilous profession. Here is a list of all the Deadliest Catch deaths in order.

What You Will Learn

  • Understanding the hazardous nature of crab fishing as shown in Deadliest Catch.
  • A tribute to the fishermen who lost their lives during filming.
  • Insights into the personal struggles faced by some cast members.
  • An overview of significant episodes and their impact on the show's legacy.

All Deadliest Catch Deaths In Order

Phil Harris – February 9, 2010

Phil Harris ran a commercial crab fishing boat that was a family business, with his sons Josh and Jake Harris working under him. Unfortunately, Phil Harris passed away from a stroke while filming the sixth season of Deadliest Catch. His sons would later appear in seasons of the show with their own fishing boats.

Justin Tennison – February 22, 2011

Justin Tennison died while filming the seventh season of Deadliest Catch, with his death attributed to sleep apnea issues. He was part of the notable Time Bandit crew, which had a significant focus on the series.

Tony Lara – August 8, 2015

Tony Lara replaced Phil Harris as captain of the ship Harris had been responsible for, appearing in a few episodes of Season 7. Unlike the previous entries on this list, Tony passed away from a heart attack while sleeping after filming was completed.

Blake Painter – May 25, 2018

Blake Painter was a prominent figure during the early days of Deadliest Catch, featured mainly in Season 2. He did not appear again in the series and was later found dead in his home years later.

Mahlon Reyes – July 27, 2020

Mahlon Reyes made his Deadliest Catch debut in Season 8 and made several appearances throughout the series. He struggled with drug problems and tragically died from acute cocaine intoxication.

Nick McGlashan – December 27, 2020

Nick McGlashan was featured on Deadliest Catch in 2013, where he was open about his struggles with drug addiction. Sadly, Nick passed away from an overdose in 2020.

Todd Kochutin – February 26, 2021

Todd Kochutin, a deckhand, faced the dangers of crab fishing when he was crushed by an 800-pound crab pot. His death highlighted the extreme risks involved in this profession.

Ross Jones – June 22, 2022

Ross Jones was a beloved member of the Deadliest Catch cast. His death was reported in a Facebook Group for the series, but no cause was mentioned.

Nick Mavar – June 13, 2024

Nick Mavar was an iconic cast member, appearing in nearly 100 episodes since the show started airing in 2005. He left due to medical reasons and passed away earlier this year, though details around his death remain undisclosed.

Tom Brossard – January 26th, 2024

The death of Tom Brossard was revealed in a recent episode of Deadliest Catch. His wife informed Jake Anderson that he had passed away due to a heart attack.

New episodes of Deadliest Catch Season 20 air Tuesdays on Discovery Channel, Discovery+ and HBO Max.


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