Deadliest Catch Mourns Death Of Capt. Blake Painter

Blake Painter photo by Discovery Channel.

The Discovery Channel series Deadliest Catch is mourning the sudden death of  Capt. Blake Painter, who was on the popular show  in its earlier days. Here’s USA Today with more:

Blake Painter, a former crab fisherman on Deadliest Catch, was found dead in his home last week, according to authorities in Clatsop County, Ore., who are awaiting toxicology reports before declaring the cause of death.

Painter, 38, was found dead Friday by a friend who became concerned after not seeing him for several days, Clatsop County Sheriff Tom Bergin told USA TODAY. When the friend stopped by Painter’s home just outside the town of Astoria, Ore., he saw a body lying prone on the kitchen floor and called the Sheriff’s Office, Bergin said. 

Bergin said Painter had been dead for a couple of days by the time deputies entered the house and found him. The cause of death has not been determined, he said. 

He said there were no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. Drugs, including prescription drugs, were found in the home but they may not have anything to do with Painter’s death, Bergin said.

“We just have to wait a few weeks for the toxicology report,” he said.

Bergin said Painter was familiar to local law enforcement, having “visited our facility a few times.” …

Painter appeared on the show in early seasons, working as an engineer and eventually as the skipper of the crab boat F/V Maverick for a total of six years. 

Condolences to Blake Painter’s loved ones.