Todd Meadows’ Final Words to His 3 Young Children Captured on “Deadliest Catch” Before He Fell Overboard to His Death

Nicholas RiceSun, September 27, 2026 at 11:37 AM UTC

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Todd Meadows.Credit: Captain Rick Shelford/Instagram -

Todd Meadows’ last words to his three young kids were captured on Deadliest Catch’s season 22 finale, which aired on The Discovery Channel on Friday, Sept. 25

“I hope you’re being safe. If you’re not being safe, you better be safe,” Meadows’ daughter told him during a final FaceTime call, to which he replied, “Oh, I’m being safe”

Meadows fell overboard while working aboard the Aleutian Lady on Feb. 25, and his death certificate later listed his cause of death as drowning with probable hypothermia

Todd Meadows’ final words to his kids before his tragic death were captured on Deadliest Catch’s season 22 finale.

Months after Meadows fell overboard while working aboard the Aleutian Lady on Feb. 25, the Discovery Channel series covered the before and after of the late deckhand’s death at age 25 during its Friday, Sept. 25 episode.

At one point before tragedy struck, Meadows is seen FaceTiming his family, which includes his three children, whom he said are ages 1, 2 and 4.

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Explaining it’s a ”heart-wrencher” that his younger two kids don’t understand why he’s gone at sea for long stretches at a time, Meadows told his son they could go salmon fishing when he returned home.

“I hope you’re being safe. If you’re not being safe, you better be safe,” his daughter then told him at one point, to which he replied, “Oh, I’m being safe.”

Todd Meadows.Credit: Discovery

Meadows fell overboard from the Aleutian Lady approximately 170 miles north of Dutch Harbor, Alaska, earlier this year.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Coast Guard Arctic District previously said Meadows was recovered unresponsive by his crewmates about 10 minutes after falling overboard. First aid and attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.

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Meadows’ death certificate later listed his cause of death as drowning with probable hypothermia, and his death was ruled an accident.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Todd Meadows,” a Discovery Channel spokesperson said in a statement after his death. “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.”

Todd Meadows.Credit: Discovery

The latest Deadliest Catch episode began with a warning that “material may be disturbing to some viewers.” It approached Meadows’ death through the experience of Capt. Rick Shelford and the rest of the boat’s crew, but did not show Meadows’ fall that caused his death.

In a confessional-style interview while preparing food before his subsequent death, Meadows said, “It’s been a rough season. From what I’ve heard, it’s been one of the rougher seasons for the boat.” When he was asked by a producer if he would return to the boat after an “opportunity to go home,” Meadows answered, “Absolutely. It’s been one of my dreams and goals to make it up here. That’s why I’m up here to make it and to try to support my family.”

Then, after a producer asked him, “What do you wanna say to your kids?” Meadow responded, “Work towards your dreams and goals, don’t let anything slow you down. If you put your mind to it, you can do anything. [I] just want my kids to know I want them to work hard and be successful in life.”

Deckhand Glen “Steven” Porter got emotional giving an on-camera interview during the episode as well, explaining that he would like to “put out there” that Meadows would “get in trouble” to make sure he got a FaceTime call in with his kids. “You know where his priorities were and that f---- kills my heart.”

Deadliest Catch is streaming on HBO Max and Discovery+.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”