The late deckhand is introduced as a devoted father before embarking on his first season aboard the Bering Sea
NEED TO KNOW
- Todd Meadows’ first appearance on Deadliest Catch features an emotional farewell to his three young children
- Capt. Rick Shelford describes Meadows as a devoted father and a newcomer to the challenges of the Bering Sea
- Meadows died at age 25 while filming his first season, and his crew and Discovery Channel honored his memory
Todd Meadows’ first posthumous appearance on Deadliest Catch is an emotional one.
Nearly five months after the 25-year-old deckhand died while filming the Discovery Channel series, viewers are introduced to Meadows during the Friday, July 17 episode as he prepares to embark on his first season aboard the Aleutian Lady.
His introduction begins with a FaceTime call to his three young children, who tell their father they miss him already.
Capt. Rick Shelford then introduces Meadows to viewers as “a devoted father” from Elma, Wash.
Credit: Captain RickShelford/Instagram
“Todd has been around boats and knows what’s expected of him,” Shelford says. “But he’s green. He’s never been on the Bering Sea.”
As Meadows tells his children, “I love you guys,” he boards the vessel and begins the fishing journey that would ultimately become his first and only season on the series.
Meadows died on Feb. 25 after falling overboard while working aboard the Aleutian Lady off the coast of Alaska. He was 25.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Coast Guard Arctic District previously told PEOPLE that the Aleutian Lady reported a crew member had fallen overboard approximately 170 miles north of Dutch Harbor.
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“He was recovered unresponsive by the crew approximately 10 minutes later,” the statement said. “First aid and attempts to resuscitate were unsuccessful, and the crew transported the deceased to Dutch Harbor.”
His death certificate, obtained by TMZ in April, listed his cause of death as drowning with probable hypothermia. An autopsy was performed, and his death was ruled an accident.
After Meadows’ death, Shelford honored his crew member in a Facebook tribute. “February 25, 2026 was the most tragic day in the history of the Aleutian Lady on the Bering Sea,” he wrote. “We lost our brother, Todd Meadows. Todd was the newest member of our crew, he quickly became family.”
Credit: GoFundMe
Shelford remembered Meadows for his “love for fishing” and “strong work ethic,” adding that “his smile was contagious.”
“Todd’s love for his children, his family, and his life was evident in everything he did,” Shelford continued. “He worked hard, loved deeply, and brought joy to those around him.”
A Discovery Channel spokesperson also shared a statement with PEOPLE at the time. “We are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Todd Meadows,” the spokesperson said. “This is a devastating loss, and our hearts are with his loved ones, his crewmates, and the entire fishing community during this incredibly difficult time.”
Elsewhere in the July 17 episode, Wizard deckhand Lynn Guitard falls overboard in 15-foot seas, prompting Capt. Keith Colburn to race to rescue him before hypothermia sets in. Meanwhile, on the Northwestern, Capt. Sig Hansen gives Sophia “Bob” Nielsen an opportunity to prove herself near the Russian line.
Deadliest Catch airs Fridays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery Channel.
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