Featured Image Credit: GoFundMe
Topics: GoFundMe, Film and TV, News, Celebrity
Niamh Shackleton
Todd Meadows' mom has spoken out following her son's tragic death at the age of 25.
Todd was best known for starring on the Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch, which portrayed the dangers fishermen face at sea daily.
Last month, he reportedly fell overboard and died while out fishing for crabs on the Bering Sea in Alaska just after 5:00pm (AST). The Coast Guard has since launched an investigation into the matter.
"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," Captain Rick Shelford said in a social media statement, confirming the news of Todd's death.
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"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."
He went on to describe Todd's smile as 'contagious', and the sound of his laughter as 'something we will carry with us always'.
According to People, the crew aboard the Aleutian Lady, which included Meadows, was filming for the show's 22nd season when he died, with filming having since concluded.
The Aleutian Lady, which, according to Todd's Facebook, he'd been a deckhand for since May 2025, was the last of the series' vessels still out at sea for that season. The boat had previously featured on Deadliest Catch, most notably in season 19, where safety concerns became a point of contention between two captains.
In the wake of Todd's death, his mom, Angela Meadows, has requested that the harrowing moment her son died not be aired on the show. According to Todd's bunkmate, the cameras were rolling when it happened.
Speaking to TMZ, the grieving mother shared: "We don’t want to see any footage from the accident and do not want Discovery to air any of that footage or make money off of our son’s death."
"We hope they only air good things of Todd on that boat," Angela added.
According to the outlet, she has asked that they be given access to the happier videos of Todd crabbing so that they have memories of the 25-year-old doing what he loved.
Angela continued to say that they 'want answers' about Todd's passing.
"We don’t want to put the blame on anyone, but someone has to take responsibility," she said. "We will have justice for Todd."
UNILAD have approached Warner Bros. Discovery for comment.
A GoFundMe page has been created for Todd's loved ones in the wake of his death, where more than $45,000 has already been raised. The page was set up to help support his three sons specifically.
Part of the bio reads: "This unimaginable loss has left his children without their father, his parents without their son, his siblings without their brother and his family broken.
"As the family navigates this heartbreaking time, we are raising funds to help support his three boys, assist with funeral expenses, and help ease the financial burden in the months ahead.
"Any donation, no matter the size, will go directly toward honoring his life and ensuring his boys are cared for in the way he would have wanted. If you are unable to give, please keep our family in your prayers and his name alive like he wanted."
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Discovery Channel said they were 'deeply saddened' by Meadow's passing, adding: "Our hearts are with his loved ones, his crewmates, and the entire fishing community during this incredibly difficult time."
You can donate to the page here.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].