Todd Meadows, the 25-year-old commercial fisherman who appeared on Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch, died on February 25, 2026, after falling overboard from the fishing vessel Aleutian Lady in the Bering Sea. His death was later confirmed as an accidental drowning with probable hypothermia, according to his death certificate.
Meadows’ name has returned to searches as episodes filmed before his death have continued airing. Here is what is confirmed about his death, family, career, background, and the latest developments surrounding his appearance on Deadliest Catch.
Background: Who Was Todd Meadows?
Todd Morgan Meadows was a commercial fisherman from Elma, Washington, who joined the crew of the Aleutian Lady, a crab-fishing vessel featured on Deadliest Catch. He was born on March 28, 2000, and died at age 25 on February 25, 2026.
His published obituary says Meadows was raised in Elma and Satsop, Washington. He grew up around the outdoors and the waters of the Pacific Northwest and developed a strong interest in fishing, hunting, camping, and other outdoor activities.
Before his death, Meadows had become a new member of the Aleutian Lady crew. Captain Rick Shelford announced his death in a social-media statement and described him as someone who quickly became part of the crew’s close-knit group.
Confirmed: Todd Meadows died on February 25, 2026, at age 25 after falling overboard while working aboard the Aleutian Lady in the Bering Sea.
Latest Update
The September episode has renewed attention around Meadows because viewers are seeing him on screen months after his death. The episode showed that he had been medically cleared to return to the Aleutian Lady following the earlier injury.
Meadows’ death occurred during the production period for Season 22. The show has used the season to remember him, while footage of the fatal incident itself has not been broadcast at the family’s request.
The official cause of death was later reported as drowning with probable hypothermia and submersion in cold water. The death certificate classified the death as an accident.
Full Profile
Family and Early Life
Todd Morgan Meadows was born on March 28, 2000, and was raised in Elma and Satsop, Washington. His obituary describes him as someone who spent much of his life around the outdoors and the Pacific Northwest’s waters.
Fishing was an important part of his life before he joined the Deadliest Catch crew. His obituary also says he enjoyed hunting, camping, country drives, and spending time with family and friends.
Career Path
Meadows worked as a commercial fisherman out of Dutch Harbor, Alaska. He eventually joined the crew of the Aleutian Lady, where he worked as a deckhand during the fishing operation featured in Deadliest Catch.
His time on the vessel was relatively short. According to reporting, he joined the crew in 2025 and was working aboard the boat when the fatal February 2026 incident occurred.
Captain Rick Shelford publicly remembered Meadows for his work ethic, love of fishing, positive personality, and dedication to his family. Discovery Channel also expressed condolences following his death.
Age
Todd Meadows was 25 years old when he died. His obituary gives his birth date as March 28, 2000, and his date of death as February 25, 2026.
Religion
Meadows’ obituary states that he grew up as a member of the Elma Church of God. This is the clearest publicly documented information about his religious background.
The available obituary does not provide further details about his personal religious beliefs or practices.
Spouse or Partner
Meadows’ obituary identifies Kennady Harvey as his fiancée. Reports about his death also state that he was survived by his children.
The obituary lists his sons River, Lawson, and Kolson Meadows, as well as Aspen, whom it says he lovingly claimed as his own.
Net Worth
Todd Meadows’ net worth has not been reliably established in the available public records. No verified financial figure should be treated as his actual net worth.
Online estimates that do not identify reliable financial records are not included here.
Parents
Meadows was the son of Lucas and Angela Meadows of Satsop, Washington, according to his published obituary. His family also included several siblings and grandparents who were named in the memorial notice.
Height
Todd Meadows’ height has not been publicly confirmed in the obituary or reliable news reports reviewed for this article. No specific measurement is provided.
Education
Meadows attended school in Elma, Washington, according to his obituary. The available memorial does not identify a college, vocational school, degree, or other post-secondary educational qualification.
Hometown and State of Origin
Todd Meadows was from Washington state and was raised in Elma and Satsop. His obituary identifies Elma as his community and says he spent much of his life in the Pacific Northwest.
Official Social Media
No independently verified official social-media account for Todd Meadows is included in the obituary source reviewed. Captain Rick Shelford’s public posts about Meadows’ death have been cited by major news organizations, but those posts are not presented here as Meadows’ own official account.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Confirmed Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Todd Morgan Meadows |
| Born | March 28, 2000 |
| Died | February 25, 2026 |
| Age | 25 |
| Hometown | Elma, Washington |
| Occupation | Commercial fisherman / deckhand |
| TV Connection | Deadliest Catch |
| Fishing Vessel | Aleutian Lady |
| Fiancée | Kennady Harvey |
| Children | River, Lawson, Kolson, and Aspen |
| Cause of Death | Drowning with probable hypothermia after submersion in cold water |
What Happened to Todd Meadows?
Meadows died after falling overboard from the Aleutian Lady while the vessel was operating in the Bering Sea. The boat was approximately 170 miles north of Dutch Harbor, Alaska, according to reporting about the incident.
Crew members recovered Meadows from the water approximately 10 minutes after he went overboard. He was unresponsive, and attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.
The U.S. Coast Guard investigated the incident as a maritime casualty. His death certificate later identified drowning with probable hypothermia and submersion of the body in cold water as the cause of death.
Todd Meadows and Deadliest Catch
Meadows joined the Deadliest Catch cast as a new deckhand aboard the Aleutian Lady. The Discovery series follows commercial crab fishermen working in the dangerous waters around Alaska and the Bering Sea.
Because production had already captured footage of Meadows before his death, viewers have continued to see him in episodes released after February. The program has also included tributes to him rather than showing the actual fatal incident.
A September 18, 2026 episode drew additional attention because it showed Meadows returning to the vessel after he had recovered from a concussion sustained while working aboard the boat.
Reader Questions (FAQ)
Who was Todd Meadows?
Todd Meadows was a commercial fisherman from Elma, Washington, who became a deckhand aboard the Aleutian Lady on Deadliest Catch. He died at age 25 on February 25, 2026.
How did Todd Meadows die?
Todd Meadows died after falling overboard from the Aleutian Lady in the Bering Sea. His death certificate listed drowning with probable hypothermia following submersion in cold water.
When did Todd Meadows die?
Todd Meadows died on February 25, 2026. He was 25 years old at the time.
What was Todd Meadows’ cause of death?
The official cause of death was drowning with probable hypothermia and submersion in cold water. The death was classified as accidental.
Was Todd Meadows on Deadliest Catch?
Yes. Meadows appeared as a deckhand aboard the Aleutian Lady, one of the fishing vessels featured on Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch.
Who was Todd Meadows’ fiancée?
Todd Meadows’ published obituary identifies Kennady Harvey as his fiancée. His obituary also names his children and other surviving relatives.
How many children did Todd Meadows have?
His obituary names three sons, River, Lawson, and Kolson Meadows, and a daughter named Aspen, whom the obituary says he lovingly claimed as his own. Reports have also described him as a father of three young boys.
Where was Todd Meadows from?
Todd Meadows was from Washington state and was raised in Elma and Satsop. His obituary says he spent much of his life around the outdoors and waters of the Pacific Northwest.
Why is Todd Meadows appearing on Deadliest Catch after his death?
The episodes featuring Meadows were filmed before his February 25, 2026 death. His continued appearance reflects previously recorded footage rather than new filming after his death.
Was Todd Meadows’ death shown on Deadliest Catch?
The fatal incident was not intended to be broadcast. Reports say Meadows’ family asked Discovery not to air footage of his death, while the program has instead paid tribute to him.
Wrap-Up
Todd Meadows’ life and death have remained connected to Deadliest Catch because viewers continue to encounter footage recorded before the fatal accident. He was a 25-year-old fisherman from Washington who had recently joined the Aleutian Lady crew and was pursuing commercial fishing in Alaska.
His published obituary provides a picture of a young father and outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, and time with his family. He is survived by his children, fiancée, parents, siblings, grandparents, and other relatives named in the memorial notice.
As of September 26, 2026, his death remains confirmed, while new attention around his name is primarily linked to the airing of previously recorded Deadliest Catch episodes. The available official records and published obituary provide the basis for the details above without relying on unverified social-media claims.
Disclaimer
This article is based on published obituary information and reporting from established news organizations and entertainment outlets. Details about Todd Meadows’ death are presented according to the available death certificate, obituary, and official statements. Information not supported by those sources has not been presented as fact, and television footage released after his death was recorded before the February 25, 2026 incident.
