With 20 seasons already in the can, it’s no secret that Deadliest Catch is one of the most dangerous programs to ever hit the small screen. Capturing the adventures and treacherous situations the crews put themselves in, Deadliest Catch has been reeling in viewers since 2005. Despite thinking what you see on screen is the full picture, it’s not. There’s a world of mystery and secrets that plague the industry behind the scenes. There are stories that often don’t receive enough attention. This might be one of them.

On April 5, 2025, the body of Jacob Riley Veeser was found in Iliuliuk Harbor in Unalaska Bay shortly before 10:30 a.m. local time. According to reports by Unalaska Department of Public Safety, Veeser had been reported missing the night before at approximately 5:30 p.m. by his fellow crew members on the Fishing Vessel Lady Alaska. If the boat sounds familiar, it was formerly featured on the program, last seen in 2021. It’s time to unravel the mystery of what happened to the young fisherman.

What Happened to Jacob Riley Veeser?

Jacob Riley Veeser’s disappearance and ultimate fate continue to be a mystery, with very little information seeping out since his body was discovered. Here’s what’s known. The day before his body was discovered, he was reported missing around 5:30pm by the crew of the F/V Lady Alaska. Having last been seen walking on an area dock at a processing facility hours before, around midnight, the mystery of what happened next unfolded. A search was underway featuring members of the U.S. Coast Guard, Alaska State Troopers, Unalaska Fire Department, and Unalaska Police Department. Ultimately, it was the fire team that recovered his body.

Having worked on fishing vessels for nearly a decade, Veeser was no stranger to the dangers of the industry and the unpredictable conditions. It so happened that at the time of his disappearance, the Bering Sea experienced whiteout conditions courtesy of a winter storm. With high wind gusts up to 50 mph and over a foot of snow, the conditions were unkind for both fishermen and the search and rescue teams. An investigation of what happened to the 28-year-old Michigan native is reportedly ongoing. What the fisherman’s untimely death reveals is just how dangerous this industry can be. While it’s unknown whether his disappearance was related to work or the conditions, Veeser’s passing is keeping everyone on high alert.

The History of F/V Lady Alaska on ‘Deadliest Catch’

Although Vaseer wasn’t on Deadliest Catch, the boat he worked on has had a storied history on the show. When Deadliest Catch launched in 2005, F/V Lady Alaska was part of the original fleet. Originally helmed by Captain Peter Liske, unfortunately, it was one of the vessels that didn’t make the cut to return for the second season. It did, however, find a chance to return years later, appearing during Seasons 16 and 17. This time, it was a former star of the show, Scott Campbell Jr., who found himself captaining the veteran ship. But, once again, Lady Alaska’s run on Deadliest Catch was short-lived. It was plagued by problems multiple times, but hey, that’s Deadliest Catch!

Deadliest Catch is known for its unstable conditions and unpredictable moments. The series has been unafraid to showcase the dangers. It’s been a major draw for viewers. But the reality is, these are real people doing what they love, risking it all for a paycheck. Even though he’s an extension of the Deadliest Catch family, it’s moments like Vaseer’s passing that put everything into perspective.