Todd Meadows Suffered Concussion Before Fatal Accident
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Deadliest Catch star Todd Meadows allegedly suffered a traumatic brain injury at work just weeks before his untimely death at 25.
According to TMZ, Meadows's mother, Angela Meadows, said he had been taken off work on medical leave before he was given the OK to return weeks before he Aleutian Lady in the treacherous Bering Sea on February 25.
Meadows's death remains under investigation by the US Coast Guard.
According to the publication, Meadows's mother said he had taken a blow to the head about a month ago while on the Aleutian Lady.
In line with injury protocols, he saw a allegedly determined that he had suffered a concussion, a form of traumatic brain injury that occurs when the brain suddenly moves or twists within the skull, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Discovery+ and Angela Meadows for comment but has not yet received a response.
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Deadliest Catch star Todd Meadows allegedly suffered a traumatic brain injury at work just weeks before his untimely death at 25; he's pictured with his mother, Angela Meadows
Meadows's mother, Angela Meadows, told TMZ that her son suffered a head injury about a month ago on the job. He was placed on medical leave, and a doctor allegedly determined he had suffered a concussion
Meadows's mother said he was flown back to Washington to recover for around a week, which marked the final time that she and her family saw him before his death.
'The last photo I got of him was when he was building a fire. He was listening to music in the moment and was so happy,' she said. 'That's how I want to remember him.'
Angela Meadows said Todd's week back in Washington was the last time his family saw him alive. After a week, he was allegedly cleared to return to work, where he later fell overboard from the fishing vessel Aleutian Lady.
‘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,’ she told TMZ on Wednesday; (Todd and Angela Meadows)
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As the Coast Guard continues to investigate what happened, the family says they are still waiting for clear answers - though Angela shared she has been assured her son did not suffer in his final moments.
While she stressed they are not looking to point fingers, she made clear the family expects accountability.
Meadows had fallen overboard from the fishing vessel Aleutian Lady on the Bering Sea on February 25, 2026 as his death is currently being investigated by the US Coast Guard, Daily Mail has confirmed
The coast guard rep said: 'He was recovered unresponsive by the crew approximately ten minutes later. First aid and attempts to resuscitate were unsuccessful, and the crew transported the deceased to Dutch Harbor'
He said: 'Captain Rick Shelford just dropped me off at the airport in Dutch Harbor. We are flying home for just a few days then going back to finish the season.'
This comes after harrowing new details over Meadows' death were revealed.
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An 'unresponsive' Meadows was recovered by the ship's crew approximately ten minutes after falling overboard but 'attempts to resuscitate were unsuccessful.'
Fellow star of the Discovery Channel reality show Trey John Green III (pictured) was bunkmates with Meadows who died while crabbing off of the Alaskan coast. He was 25
The Aleutian Lady is a 125-foot commercial fishing vessel which specializes in King Crab, Bairdi, Opilio, and cod fishing in the Bering Sea
The aforementioned star of the Discovery Channel reality show Captain Shelford first made the sad announcement on his Facebook page on Monday morning.
Meadows had passed away aboard the Aleutian Lady on Wednesday in what Captain Shelford has called 'the most tragic day in the history' of the vessel. He was a father to three boys.
A representative for the Discovery Channel provided a statement to Daily Mail over Meadows' death which read: 'We are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Todd Meadows.
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'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.'
Captain Shelford revealed in his tribute post that Meadows was the newest member of the crew and quickly became family through his strong work ethic earning the respect of everyone on the team quickly.
He continued his post by writing: 'His smile was contagious, and the sound of his laughter coming up the wheelhouse stairs or over the deck hailer is something we will carry with us always.
'Todd's love for his children, his family, and his life was evident in everything he did. He worked hard, loved deeply, and brought joy to those around him.'
The star of the Discovery Channel reality show Captain Rick Shelford made the sad announcement on his Facebook page on Monday morning
Meadows had passed away aboard the Aleutian Lady on the Bering Sea on Wednesday in what Captain Shelford has called 'the most tragic day in the history' of the vessel
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A memo had been sent to Deadliest Catch producers informing them of the incident and providing them with resources to help deal with grieving, according to sources for TMZ.
Captain Shelford continued in his statement by writing: 'Right now, our hearts are broken in a way that words can't fully express.
'We ask that you lift Todd's children and family in prayer and keep them in your thoughts as they face the days ahead without him.'
Though Meadows' time on the boat was brief, Captain Shelford concluded his tribute by declaring that he made a massive impact on the boat and crew.
He wrote: 'Todd will forever be part of this boat, this crew, and this brotherhood. Though we lost him far too soon, his legacy will live on through his children and in every memory we carry of him.
'Rest easy brother, till we meet again.'
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A GoFundMe - organized by Paige Knutson - has been set up to help ease the financial burden put on his family.
The description of the charity effort read: 'We are heartbroken to share the sudden passing of Todd Morgan Meadows, a beloved 25-year-old father, son, brother and friend ,who left us far too soon while doing what he loved — crabbing out on Alaskan waters.
A representative for the Discovery Channel provided a statement to Daily Mail over Meadows' death which read: 'We are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Todd Meadows'
'He was a determined dad to three amazing little boys who were his entire world. Everything he did was for them — their smiles, their futures, and the memories they will carry with them.'
It goes on to reveal that they will be using the funds to assist in funeral expenses and help the family navigate the months ahead.
The description read: 'This unimaginable loss has left his children without their father, his parents without their son, his siblings without their brother and his family broken.
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A GoFundMe - organized by Paige Knutson - has been set up to help ease the financial burden put on his family
Captain Rick Shelford is pictured as he owns The Aleutian Lady which is a 125-foot commercial fishing vessel which specializes in King Crab, Bairdi, Opilio, and cod fishing in the Bering Sea
'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.'
The Aleutian Lady is a 125-foot commercial fishing vessel that specializes in King Crab, Bairdi, Opilio, and cod fishing in the Bering Sea.
The vessel — which was built in 1980 — usually has a crew of five to eight and is owned by the aforementioned Captain Shelford.
The Aleutian Lady and Captain Shelford have been featured on the Discovery Channel reality series from seasons 19 to 21 from 2023 to 2025.
