WHITEFISH, Mont. — Mahlon Reyes, a deckhand on “Deadliest Catch” reality show has died from a heart attack at 38.
Reyes, who had appeared on 14 episodes of the reality show, suffered a heart attack in northern Montana on Saturday and was taken to North Valley Hospital, in Whitefish, according to his memorial Facebook page. Medical staff was able to regain his pulse and he was transported to an intensive care unit in Kalispell.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family.
Because Reyes suffered “irreversible brain damage” from oxygen deprivation, the family removed him from life support on Sunday.
On Sunday night our family together made the hardest choice we’ve ever made and that was to remove him from life support. Mahlon’s body was tired and had put up an amazing fight. He was the strongest guy we knew. Shortly after midnight on July 27th he passed with his brother and mom right by his side. His oldest kids, some of his best friends were all with him as well although they couldn’t be by his (side) they were there as well. He was surrounded by so much love.
— Forever Chim Facebook Memorial Page
Reyes’ wife, Heather Sullivan told USA Today that Reyes was cremated. His ashes will be spread in the Bering Sea and in Swan Range mountains east of Whitefish.