'Deadliest Catch': Nick McGlashan to Phil Harris, a look at the tragic deaths that rocked Discovery show's cast
It's truly a sad day for 'Deadliest Catch' fans, as one of the cast members, Nick McGlashan died in Nashville at the age of 33. No information regarding the cause of his death released yet. Nick, a seventh-generation fisherman and crabber who appeared on the Discovery Channel reality series for seven years
Nick was always passionate about his work, having worked on a boat since he was 13. The fishermen worked as a deck boss on the show when it first aired in 2013.
Throughout his life, Nick believed this what he was destined to do, having been a 7th generation fisherman from Alaska. However, through the show, Nick began his struggle with substance abuse. After overdosing three times, he finally sought out treatment in September 2016 to become clean. He was kicked out of the boat in order to sober up and get his act together in Season 13. Regarding Nick's substance abuse, here's what he had to say: "My life went from Bering Sea badass to full-blown junkie very rapidly. Hidden from me was that passion I had for life," he wrote "Taken from me was my ability to live. I was at war with my addiction and it was winning."
While Nick's untimely death has truly come as a shock to many, the show has lost a lot of its cast members over the course of 10 years. We take a look at who all the cast has to bid goodbye to in the past few seasons.
Blake Painter
Blake, the former captain of the F/V Maverick was found dead in his home in May 2018. He was 38 at the time. As per a police report, multiple forms of drugs, including what's believed to be cocaine and heroin were found near his body when he was pronounced dead. Blake was an expert fisherman, although he did have a love-hate relationship with his work.
Phil Harris
The beloved captain and part-owner of the Cornelia Marie suffered a massive stroke while offloading crab in Alaska in 2010. He was found on the floor, unable to move. He was rushed to the hospital where he underwent surgery. Phil made it out of the medically induced coma and for a brief period, he seemed to be recovering. However, he passed away shortly after, surrounded by friends and family and the hospital.
Justin Tennison
A part of the cast of 'Deadliest Catch's Time Bandit', Justin was a deckhand on the show. Justin passed away at 33 in Alaska in his hotel room, just four days after he returned from sea on February 22, 2011. His death was due to sleep apnea related complications.
Joe McMahon
A former producer on the show, Joe's death was untimely as it gets. He passed away at 24, in 2015 near his parents' home in Pasadena, California. Joe was found with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. According to IMDb, McMahon was an associate producer on nine episodes of Deadliest Catch in 2013, when it was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Reality Program, a category it won in 2011.
Tony Lara
The former captain of the Cornelia Marie, Tony passed away in his sleep in Sturgis, South Dakota in 2015. The 50-year-old was a favorite among the cast and crew, as he was easy to get along with. He appeared in 2011 on the show. Lara captained the F/V Cornelia Marie following the death of Captain Phil Harris, who was also on the show.
Mahlon Reyes
Mahlon died of a heart attack at the age of 38, in Whitefish, Montana on July 27, 2020. His death came as a shock to all since he didn't suffer or any pre-existing ailments. He lasted appeared on the show in 2015 and was planning on going back to Alaska for the next fishing season. He was a deckhand on the show. Reyes was cremated and his best friends spread his ashes in the Bering Sea and in Montana's Swan Range mountains.