The Tragic Toll: Every Deadliest Catch Star Who Has Died Since 2010 (Updated 2025)

The Bering Sea, a brutal and unforgiving expanse, is famously known as the backdrop for the Discovery Channel’s long-running reality series, Deadliest Catch. The show has captivated millions by documenting the perilous lives of Alaskan King Crab and Opilio Crab fishermen. However, the true danger of this profession extends far beyond the cameras, with a tragic number of cast members and crew succumbing to the high-risk environment and personal struggles. This article, updated in December 2025, provides a complete, in-depth look at every star from the show who has tragically died, detailing their legacy and the circumstances of their passing.

The latest death to rock the fishing community was in 2024, a stark reminder that the danger doesn't always lie in the icy waters of the Dutch Harbor. From devastating on-the-job accidents to health crises and battles with addiction, the list of those lost is a somber testament to the immense pressures faced by those chasing the Alaskan crab gold rush.

The Tragic Roll Call: Deadliest Catch Stars and Their Legacies

The following list details the core cast members and captains from Deadliest Catch who have passed away, ensuring their contributions to the series and the fishing industry are remembered.

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• Nick Mavar Jr. (1965–2024)
• Role: Deckhand on the F/V Northwestern.
• Vessel: F/V Northwestern (Captained by Sig Hansen).
• Date of Death: June 13, 2024.
• Cause of Death: Unexpected heart attack (natural causes).
• Biography: Mavar was a long-time fixture on the F/V Northwestern, appearing in nearly 100 episodes between 2005 and 2021. He was known as Captain Sig Hansen's trusted "right-hand man" and was a highly skilled fisherman. He left the show after suffering a ruptured appendix, which required emergency surgery. His sudden passing in Alaska at the age of 59 shocked the Deadliest Catch family.
• Todd Kochutin (1990–2021)
• Role: Deckhand.
• Vessel: F/V Patricia Lee (Captained by Rip Carlton).
• Date of Death: February 26, 2021.
• Cause of Death: On-the-job injuries sustained during a fishing accident.
• Biography: Kochutin was a third-generation Alaskan fisherman who quickly became a beloved part of the F/V Patricia Lee crew. His death was one of the most tragic in the show's history, as he was fatally crushed by a heavy crab pot on the deck of the vessel while working in the Bering Sea. The incident highlighted the immediate and ever-present physical dangers of commercial crab fishing.
• Nick McGlashan (1987–2020)
• Role: Deck Boss / Deckhand.
• Vessel: F/V Cornelia Marie and F/V Summer Bay.
• Date of Death: December 28, 2020.
• Cause of Death: Drug overdose (toxic mix of methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl).
• Biography: A seventh-generation fisherman, McGlashan was known for his sharp skills and his candid struggle with addiction, which was documented on the show. He was temporarily suspended during Season 13 to seek treatment. He died in a Nashville, Tennessee, hotel room at the age of 33, a devastating loss that underscored the mental health and substance abuse issues that plague many in the stressful fishing industry.
• Mahlon Reyes (1982–2020)
• Role: Deckhand.
• Vessel: F/V Seabrooke.
• Date of Death: July 27, 2020.
• Cause of Death: Acute cocaine intoxication.
• Biography: Reyes was a dedicated deckhand who worked on several crab boats, most notably the F/V Seabrooke. He suffered a heart attack at his home in Montana and died a few days later. The subsequent autopsy revealed the cause was a drug overdose, another heartbreaking loss to the ongoing opioid crisis affecting communities across America.
• Captain Phil Harris (1956–2010)
• Role: Captain.
• Vessel: F/V Cornelia Marie.
• Date of Death: February 9, 2010.
• Cause of Death: Complications from a massive stroke.
• Biography: Captain Phil Harris is arguably the most famous and beloved figure in Deadliest Catch history. He suffered a massive stroke while offloading crab in Dutch Harbor, Alaska, and passed away several days later at the age of 53. His final days were documented in Season 6 of the show, providing a raw, emotional look at the human toll of the job. His sons, Josh and Jake Harris, continue his legacy on the F/V Cornelia Marie.

The Silent Killers: Health Crises and Addiction Off the Boat

While the image of a crab boat sinking in a raging storm is terrifying, the reality is that many Deadliest Catch fatalities occurred on land, often due to health issues exacerbated by the grueling lifestyle or battles with addiction. The constant stress, lack of sleep, and isolation associated with months at sea often lead to serious long-term health consequences.

Heart Attacks, Strokes, and Sleep Apnea

Cardiovascular events have claimed the lives of several key figures. Nick Mavar Jr., who was a deckhand on the F/V Northwestern, died from a heart attack in 2024. Similarly, Captain Tony Lara, who briefly captained the F/V Cornelia Marie during Season 7, died from a heart attack in his sleep in 2015 at the age of 50. The most famous example is Captain Phil Harris, whose massive stroke in 2010 was a direct result of a lifetime of high-stress work and poor health habits common in the industry.

Another tragic case was Justin Tennison, a deckhand on the F/V Time Bandit. He was found dead in an Alaskan hotel room in 2011, just days after returning from the Bering Sea. His death was officially attributed to complications related to sleep apnea, a condition often worsened by obesity and exhaustion, highlighting the often-overlooked health risks of the fisherman's lifestyle.

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The Overdose Epidemic and Mental Health Crisis

The deaths of both Nick McGlashan and Mahlon Reyes from drug overdoses underscore a darker, systemic issue: the mental health crisis and the prevalence of substance abuse in high-stress, isolated occupations. The intense pressure, long hours, and separation from family can lead many to self-medicate. McGlashan’s passing, in particular, was a moment of reflection for the show's community, as his struggles were a storyline on the show, making his loss particularly difficult for fans and fellow crew members.

This category also includes former captain Blake Painter, who led the F/V Maverick in Seasons 2 and 3. Painter was found dead in his Oregon home in 2018 at age 38. While the official cause was not immediately released, drug paraphernalia was found at the scene, leading to the strong suspicion of an overdose.

The Inherent Dangers of the Bering Sea: On-the-Job Fatalities

The show is called Deadliest Catch for a reason. The environment itself is a constant threat, and tragic accidents are a grim reality of the Alaskan crab fishing industry, which consistently ranks among the most dangerous jobs in the world. The death of Todd Kochutin on the F/V Patricia Lee in 2021 was a devastating reminder of this fact. He was killed instantly when struck by a heavy crab pot, which can weigh over 800 pounds, a horrifying hazard of working on a constantly pitching deck in freezing conditions.

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While not a fisherman, the show also mourned the loss of Joe McMahon, a supervising producer for Deadliest Catch, who was murdered in 2015. Although his death was unrelated to the fishing industry, it was a profound loss to the production team and the extended family of the show.

The collective deaths associated with the series—from the iconic Captain Phil Harris to the most recent loss of Nick Mavar—serve as a powerful, sobering narrative. They highlight the extreme physical and mental sacrifices made by the men and women who brave the Bering Sea, confirming that the title of the show is not mere hyperbole, but a dangerous truth.

A Legacy of Risk and Resilience

The continued production of Deadliest Catch, now into its 20th season, is a tribute to the resilience of the Alaskan fishing community. Every time the F/V Northwestern, F/V Cornelia Marie, or F/V Time Bandit leaves Dutch Harbor, they carry the memory of those lost. The show’s narrative has shifted over the years, focusing more on safety protocols, the psychological toll of the work, and the importance of family, all while honoring the memory of the captains and crew who paid the ultimate price for the world’s most sought-after King Crab and Opilio Crab.