Nick McGlashan death: Star on Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch dies aged 33

McGlashan appeared on hit show for seven years

Deadliest Catch star Nick McGlashan has died aged 33.

The television personality, who featured in the popular Discovery Channel show for seven years, died on Sunday (27 December) in Nashville, Tennessee, the Davidson County Medical Examiner has confirmed to CNN. 

The cause of death is currently unknown.

Discovery Channel has responded to the news in a statement reading: “Our deepest sympathy goes out to Nick’s loved ones during this difficult time.

“Nick came from a long line of crabbers and was known for his great depth of knowledge. He also had a sharp sense of humour even in the most difficult conditions. He will be deeply missed by all those who knew him.”

McGlashan, who was born in Alaska and began crabbing when he was 13 years old, worked as a deck boss on Deadliest Catch and has appeared on the hit series since 2013.

He was a hugely experienced seventh-generation fisherman. According to his biography on the Discovery Go website, two of his aunts had been crabbers and his great uncle worked on the first boat in the US crab industry.

In a 2017 article titled “The Deadliest Disease”, McGlashan opened up about his struggle with drug and alcohol addiction.

He described how his life went “from Bering Sea badass to full-blown junkie very rapidly” and wrote candidly about how he had been abusing heroin, methamphetamine and alcohol. In 2016, he entered into rehab and got sober.

Cameras captured his struggle with substance abuse and partway through Deadliest Catch’s 13th season, McGlashan was suspended from the series to get treatment.

“Though he's had his ups and downs, Nick has battled endlessly to stay sober and embrace a new sober lifestyle and is now so committed to his recovery that he inspires others in their own,” reads his Discovery Go biography.

He most recently appeared in the September episode of the show’s 16th season.

McGlashan is one of several Deadliest Catch cast members to have died. Earlier this year fellow deckhand Mahlon Reyes died aged 38 after suffering a heart attack.

The show has had at least six others die over the course of its 16-season run, according to People.