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As we reported last February, Todd Meadows – a cast member on the popular reality show Discovery The deadliest hunt —He was killed while filming.
He was only 25 years old.
Now, the first footage of Meadows’ final days aboard the Aleutian Lady has been released.
The 25-year-old novice hunter appears in the Season 22 premiere The deadliest huntHe talks excitedly about working in Alaska after years of wanting the opportunity.
In footage obtained by TMZ, the deckhand openly admitted how dangerous life at sea was just days before his tragic death while filming the Discovery series.
Eager to take to the high seas to support his wife and three children, Meadows made some heartbreaking comments about finally achieving his dream.
“It’s going to be fun,” Meadows says in the footage. “I’m lucky I fell in love with her.”
This quote hits very differently now.
Meadows was killed after falling overboard while fishing in the Bering Sea off the coast of Alaska.
Cameras were reportedly rolling at the time of the incident, although Discovery has already confirmed that the footage will not be broadcast.
The tragedy marked one of the most devastating moments in the franchise’s long history.
According to accounts shared after the incident, Meadows became entangled while inside a massive crab pot and was pulled into the freezing waters during operations aboard the Aleutian Lady.
Crew members desperately tried to save him and performed CPR for an extended period of time after he was pulled from the ocean.
His official cause of death was later ruled to be drowning with possible hypothermia.
The season 22 premiere reportedly begins with shots of Meadows reflecting on the magnitude of finally arriving in Alaska to get the job.
The episode also includes an emotional tribute card to honor Meadows following the news of his death.
Friends, family members and fellow anglers continued to mourn the youngster in the months following the accident. Captain Rick Shelford previously described Meadows as someone who “quickly became family” on the ship.
Meanwhile, the US Coast Guard continues to investigate the fatal accident.
The deadliest hunt It has always marketed itself around the brutal realities and dangers of commercial crabbing.
But for viewers watching Meadows smile excitedly about the adventure he was about to embark on, the season premiere will likely feel less like entertainment and more like a heartbreaking farewell.
