'Deadliest Catch' Star Blake Painter Found Dead at 38

FormerDeadliest Catchcaptain Blake Painter was found dead in his home in Astoria, Oregon on Friday, the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office confirms to PEOPLE. He was 38.The past captain of theF/V Maverick, who appeared on the Discovery Channel series in 2006 and 2007, was discovered when a friend grew concerned and called police after not having heard from Painter in several days, according toTMZ.Police are also testing several substances found at the scene of Painter’s death that will be tested for narcotics. They do not suspect foul play, though his official cause of death will be determined following an autopsy and toxicology test.DiscoveryLocal newspaperThe Daily Astorianreports that Painter was arrested earlier this year when a police officer allegedly saw him smoking heroin while driving.Painter, an expert crab fisherman, first turned up onDeadliest Catchduring season 2 and opted to leave the series several episodes into the third season.Painter spoke of his love-hate relationship with his career, including several of his related injuries, in an interview withSeattle Weeklyin 2013. “I dread long-lining season, just because it’s so repetitive,” he said, before later appreciating, “When fishing is good, you’re making money quick. It’s not uncommon to make $1,000 a day.”Discovery Channel has not yet released a statement.The series was in the news just last week when another of the show’s captains, Sig Hansen, 52,pleaded guiltyto a misdemeanor charge that hespat on an Uber driverafter drinking in Seattle in 2017.

FormerDeadliest Catchcaptain Blake Painter was found dead in his home in Astoria, Oregon on Friday, the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office confirms to PEOPLE. He was 38.

The past captain of theF/V Maverick, who appeared on the Discovery Channel series in 2006 and 2007, was discovered when a friend grew concerned and called police after not having heard from Painter in several days, according toTMZ.

Police are also testing several substances found at the scene of Painter’s death that will be tested for narcotics. They do not suspect foul play, though his official cause of death will be determined following an autopsy and toxicology test.

Discovery

Local newspaperThe Daily Astorianreports that Painter was arrested earlier this year when a police officer allegedly saw him smoking heroin while driving.

Painter, an expert crab fisherman, first turned up onDeadliest Catchduring season 2 and opted to leave the series several episodes into the third season.

Painter spoke of his love-hate relationship with his career, including several of his related injuries, in an interview withSeattle Weeklyin 2013. “I dread long-lining season, just because it’s so repetitive,” he said, before later appreciating, “When fishing is good, you’re making money quick. It’s not uncommon to make $1,000 a day.”

Discovery Channel has not yet released a statement.

The series was in the news just last week when another of the show’s captains, Sig Hansen, 52,pleaded guiltyto a misdemeanor charge that hespat on an Uber driverafter drinking in Seattle in 2017.

source: people.com