The Tragic Reality: Bank Robbery, Sex Crimes, and Cancer Battles—The Dark Toll Paid by the Stars of Deadliest Catch

For over two decades, the reality television phenomenon Deadliest Catch has offered viewers an electrifying, awe-inspiring glimpse into the lives of Alaskan crab fishermen. Set against the merciless backdrop of the Bering Sea—a vast, frozen expanse known for its colossal waves, unpredictable ice chunks, and a brutal climate—the show framed its stars as modern-day heroes. These men and women were mythologized as fearless pioneers, risking life and limb for the lucrative King and Snow Crab hauls.

Yet, as the seasons accumulated, a darker, more troubling narrative began to unfold behind the scenes. The danger faced on the water, while deadly, proved less destructive than the personal demons, addiction struggles, and shocking criminal paths chosen by many of the show’s most recognizable faces. The true price of life in the fleet wasn’t just physical exhaustion and stress; for many, it was the complete implosion of their careers, reputations, and freedom.

The ongoing question for millions of viewers remains: what happened to the legends and the familiar faces who simply vanished from the Discovery Channel lineup? The answer is a grim tapestry woven with tales of triumph over waves, but also devastating health battles and, most shockingly, serious crimes that have stained the show’s legacy forever.

Section I: The Criminal Underbelly—When Heroes Become Felons

The most disturbing fate to befall several Deadliest Catch cast members involves criminal activity, some of which predates their time on the show, and some occurring during or after their stints on the Bering Sea. These revelations shattered the public’s perception of the fleet as simply hard-working, rugged individuals.

Josh Harris: The Dark Legacy

One of the most profound betrayals of trust involved Josh Harris, the son of the revered Captain Phil Harris of the Cornelia Marie. Josh, alongside his brother Jake, was a focal point of the show, carrying the emotional weight of their father’s legacy. However, in 2022, a devastating chapter from Josh’s past resurfaced that immediately led to his permanent removal from the Discovery Channel.

As a teenager, Josh was accused of sexually mistreating a 4-year-old neighbor girl. He ultimately pleaded guilty to the charges, which were reduced, resulting in a sentence of 60 days of confinement and 24 months of supervised release. When the full details became public knowledge, the Discovery Channel took swift and decisive action, permanently halting his involvement in Deadliest Catch and canceling his spin-off series, Deadliest Catch: Bloodline. His story serves as a painful reminder that the heroism seen on camera does not absolve a dark past.

Edgar Hansen: The Silent Departure

Edgar Hansen, the reliable Deck Boss and engineer aboard the Northwestern under his brother Captain Sig Hansen, was a core member of the cast from the very first episode. His competence and calm demeanor made him a fan favorite. However, his long-standing career was brought to an abrupt and silent end after Season 14.

In 2018, Edgar faced a major setback when he was charged with sexually mistreating a teenage girl in Florida. He pleaded guilty, was fined, and received a suspended sentence, avoiding jail time. Despite his long history with the show and his vital role, the decision was made for him to step away from the series. Edgar has since kept an extremely low profile, with his name notably absent from the cast list, an anticlimactic and somber end to his tenure on the water.

The Inmates: Bank Robbers, Drug Dealers, and the Dark Side of Fame

The show’s troubled history extends far beyond the Hansen and Harris families, involving cast members who faced serious felony charges:

Joshua Tel Warner: Perhaps the most surreal story belongs to Joshua Tel Warner, a greenhorn on the Wizard in Season 5. Unbeknownst to his crewmates, Warner was a fugitive bank robber. He had robbed an Oregon bank in 2007, and while Deadliest Catch was airing, he robbed the same bank twice more in 2009. His own boasts to fellow crew members eventually led to his capture in December 2009. He was sentenced to nine years in prison, ensuring his legacy with the show is forever tied to armed felony.
Elliot Neese: Known for his aggressive and often volatile temperament as captain of the Saga, Elliot Neese’s on-screen drama mirrored his real-life struggles with substance abuse. After leaving the show mid-Season 11 to enter rehab, his life continued to spiral. In 2019, investigators raided his Alaskan home, uncovering narcotics and paraphernalia for drug dealing. Neese confessed to distributing opiates and amphetamines. After receiving a short prison term and subsequent probation, he tested positive for drugs in 2022, violating his probation and resulting in a 30-month prison sentence.
Jason King: Known as “Tennessee,” Jason King‘s brief appearance on the Cornelia Marie in Season 11 was quickly forgotten until his 2017 arrest. Authorities found 14 pounds of marijuana and a pistol hidden at his Tennessee home. Already having a criminal record, King was sentenced to 51 months in prison for drug dealing in 2018.

Section II: The Legends’ Battles—Fighting for Life at the Helm

In stark contrast to the criminal downfall of others, the show’s legendary captains—the pillars of the fleet—have faced equally terrifying, but non-criminal, existential threats in the form of devastating health crises.

Sig Hansen: The Unsinkable Captain

Sig Hansen, the heart and soul of the Northwestern, has long been admired for his traditional, instinctive approach to fishing. However, his life at sea has taken a brutal toll on his body. Years ago, Sig suffered a terrifying heart attack, followed by a second one in 2018, both caused by blocked arteries.

These life-altering events forced Sig to make significant changes, prompting him to quit smoking and drinking. His refusal to surrender the wheel—despite the medical warnings—is a testament to his dedication, but also highlights the immense pressure and stress of the crab fishing lifestyle. For now, Sig remains at the helm, but his daughter Mandy is actively taking on more responsibilities, preparing to inherit the legacy of the Northwestern.

Wild Bill Witrosski: Beating the Bering Sea and Cancer

Wild Bill Witrosski, captain of the Summer Bay, is another icon of resilience. After debuting in 2015, his quick thinking and focus on crew safety earned him a loyal following. However, towards the end of Season 19 in 2023, Wild Bill shocked fans with the devastating news of a prostate cancer diagnosis.

The captain, who had survived every challenge the Bering Sea could throw at him, was now locked in a battle against an invisible enemy. Yet, he continued to film and fight, displaying the same ferocious tenacity he was famous for. In a triumphant update shared on social media, Wild Bill announced in February 2025 that his doctors had given him positive reports and he was officially cancer-free, cementing his status as a true survivor.

Section III: Trading the Sea for Sanity and Sobriety

For others, the personal battles were fought against addiction and the psychological toll of the dangerous profession, forcing them to make the ultimate sacrifice: walking away from the sea entirely.

Jake Anderson: The Journey to Sobriety

Jake Anderson’s journey has been a heartbreaking blend of triumph and tragedy. A favorite for his charisma and hard work, Jake ascended from greenhorn to Deck Boss on the Northwestern. Yet, behind his smile, he battled severe alcohol dependency compounded by immense personal loss—losing his uncle, his sister, and his father in tragic accidents.

The grief and addiction eventually forced Jake to step away from the show to seek help and regain control. His return to the sea was marked by resilience, chronicled in his book, Relapse, where he detailed his struggle and his path to sobriety. Jake’s story is less about fishing and more about surviving one’s own inner demons, making him a reluctant, yet profound, hero in the eyes of many fans.

Mike Forner and Scott Campbell Jr.: The Call of Home

Not every exit was marred by crime or disease. For Mike Forner of the Time Bandit, the decision to retire in 2013 was a heroic act of prioritization. When he learned his wife was expecting twins, Mike realized he could no longer spend 10 months a year at sea. He famously declared: “I’ve never quit a job in my life. I’m leaving for a good reason… I want to be Mike the good husband and Mike the good dad, not Mike from the Time Bandit.” He now works closer to home, selling marine equipment.

Similarly, Scott Campbell Jr.’s departure from the Seabrook was compelled by chronic back pain, a common occupational hazard that made enduring the harsh conditions impossible. Though he returned briefly, he ultimately transitioned into business ventures like Cordova Outdoors and Beaver Creek Firewood, seeking a safer, less physically demanding career path.

The legacy of Deadliest Catch is one of duality: it’s a show about the boundless courage required to face the natural world’s fury, but it’s also a deeply troubling case study on the immense personal and psychological toll such a life exacts. For every triumph over a rogue wave, there is a tragedy—a crippling addiction, a life-threatening illness, or a shocking criminal secret—that proves the most dangerous battleground is often not the Bering Sea, but the human heart itself.