Nick McGlashan, star of Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch, dies aged 33

Nick McGlashan, star of Deadliest Catch, passed away on December 27th at the age of 33.

The television personality featured in the popular Discovery Channel show for seven years, and died in Nashville, Tennessee last Sunday, the Davidson County Medical Examiner 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 was born in Alaska and began crabbing when he was 13-years-old. He 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.

McGlashan opened up about his struggles with drug and alcohol addiction in a 2017 article titled 'The Deadliest Disease' for Chosen Magazine.

McGlashan wrote that he had been abusing alcohol, heroin and methamphetamine and overdosed three times before he went into rehab to seek treatment in September 2016.

He described how his life went “from Bering Sea badass to full-blown junkie very rapidly”.

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.

As Nick McGlashan is laid to rest, his sister Lydia is asking for donations in order to help support the their mother June during this trying time.

McGlashan's sister also confirmed the tragic news on Twitter:

My brother nick passed away. This is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to go through. Please hold your loved ones tight.

— Lyd (@sweetsealyd) December 28, 2020