'Deadliest Catch's Jake Anderson Is Still Looking for Answers Regarding His Father's Death (2024)

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'Deadliest Catch's Jake Anderson Is Still Looking for Answers Regarding His Father's Death (1)

By Jennifer Tisdale

Oct. 11 2022, Updated 10:02 p.m. ET

'Deadliest Catch's Jake Anderson Is Still Looking for Answers Regarding His Father's Death (2)

If there's one takeaway viewers from Deadliest Catch get from watching just a few minutes of the show, it's that Alaskan crab fishing isn't exactly an easy gig. It requires a special kind of individual with remarkable fortitude and determination to go out every season in the hopes of raking in a sizable haul. One such person is Captain Jake Anderson, who has endured tragic losses all while trying to survive and thrive at sea.

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During Season 5 in 2009, Jake learned that his sister Chelsea unexpectedly passed away from complications due to pneumonia. While still grieving that loss, his father would go missing in 2010. To this day, Jake is still searching for answers. What happened to Jake Anderson's father, Keith? Here's what we know.

'Deadliest Catch's Jake Anderson Is Still Looking for Answers Regarding His Father's Death (3)

What happened to Jake Anderson's dad, Keith?

According to KOMO News, Jake's father was reported missing on January 6, 2010, after he "failed to return from a short trip to Snohomish County. The retired high school counselor was last seen in the Sultan area."

Keith Anderson had apparently never spent a single night away from his wife of 43 years. When Jake learned the news of his father's disappearance, he was filming an episode of Deadliest Catch. Fans of the show were devastated for Jake, who was still recovering from the loss of his sister.

KOMO News also reported that "[Keith] Anderson's cell phone was found in a mud puddle near his house, and his white canopy-topped 1999 Ford Ranger pickup truck was found about two weeks later, stuck on a logging road in a remote area of Skagit County about 20 miles northwest of Darrington."

Beyond that, no one knew what happened to Jake's father.

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'Deadliest Catch's Jake Anderson Is Still Looking for Answers Regarding His Father's Death (4)

Keith Anderson's whereabouts would remain a mystery for a little over two years. In June 2012, a hiker stumbled upon human remains in a "remote area of Skagit County," per KOMO News. It was determined that the remains, which were located roughly one mile from where Keith Anderson's truck was found, were that of Jake's father. Jake is still searching for answers.

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Keith Anderson's death haunts Jake to this day, so he traveled to Norway for answers.

In Season 1, Episode 5 of Deadliest Catch: The Viking Returns, Jake Anderson is still wrestling with some inner demons regarding his dad's passing. "There are things about my father's death that we'll never find the answers to," he says to himself. Like Sig Hansen, Jake's father and family came from Norway where they were also fishermen. In order to learn more about his dad, Jake decided to head to Norway.

"I don't think I ever thought fishing in Norway was even an achievable goal. It's changed my life because now I'm realizing I'm getting to do something that my father would have always wanted me to do," Jake said in the episode.

We learn from Jake that Keith Anderson moved from Norway to the United States, completely on his own. Unfortunately, Keith would later develop an addiction to pain medication he was prescribed for a couple of injuries, but in Norway, things were different.

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"The last time my dad was healthy in mind, body, and spirit, he was here," shared Jake. "My dad always wanted me to know more about Norway, where I came from. He was most proud of being a Norwegian American. I'm sure I would have come here a lot sooner if it wasn't for what happened to my dad."

Jake is convinced his father was murdered and he decided to come to Norway partially in search of closure and peace.

"Everything that I learned over here about him helps me to feel closer to him. I'm closer to him here than I am in America," Jake revealed.

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Jake Anderson was brought closer to his dad after meeting his extended Norwegian family.

The entire episode is really lovely, focusing on Jake meeting members of his extended family like his cousin Silje Breimo, who shows him the house where his great-grandfather Christen grew up with his eight brothers and sisters, and Jake's great-great-grandparents, Johannes and Johanna. Jake also received a hot fishing tip.

'Deadliest Catch's Jake Anderson Is Still Looking for Answers Regarding His Father's Death (5)

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Sig, Jake, and the rest of their crewmates were having trouble finding the best spots to fish in Norway. Silje then gives Jake a copy of a diary from his great-great-grandfather, Johannes, that was written in 1904. In it, he talked about going to the Lofoten Islands to fish for herring. Jake immediately gets on the horn to Sig.

"My great-great-grandfather Johannes used to tackle herring through there [the Lofoten Islands]. The gulf stream would run up and leave nutrients in cold pockets of water on the north side, and you know where there's herring, there's gonna be crab," he tells him.

At the end of the episode, he also makes one more call to his wife Jenna, requesting that his father's ashes be shipped to him in Norway. Future episodes promise that Jake will eventually begin to come to terms with his father's death and find some much-needed peace.

Deadliest Catch: The Viking Returns airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. EST on Discovery.

'Deadliest Catch's Jake Anderson Is Still Looking for Answers Regarding His Father's Death (2024)

FAQs

'Deadliest Catch's Jake Anderson Is Still Looking for Answers Regarding His Father's Death? ›

In June 2012, a hiker stumbled upon human remains in a "remote area of Skagit County," per KOMO News. It was determined that the remains, which were located roughly one mile from where Keith Anderson's truck was found, were that of Jake's father. Jake is still searching for answers.

Did they ever find out what happened to Jake Anderson's father? ›

During season six, episode eleven "Blown Off Course" he learned that his father, Keith Anderson, had gone missing and was presumed dead after his truck was found abandoned in rural Washington. In 2012, the skeletal remains of Anderson's father were found by a hiker about a mile away from where his truck had been found.

Did Jake Anderson lose the saga? ›

Jake Anderson loses control of the fishing vessel Saga due to legal issues. After losing Saga, Jake finds temporary work on the Northwestern and later joins the Titan Explorer. Deadliest Catch has seen numerous legal troubles throughout its 20 seasons, including issues involving cast members and production.

Is Jake Anderson still married? ›

Captain Jake Anderson Has Been Married to His Wife, Jenna, For Over a Decade – Rumor has it that...

What happened to Jake's mom and dad? ›

This is likely why she reacted with shock to Jake's exhibiting his stretchy powers to battle a cobra in a flashback in "Jake the Dad." Margaret, as well as her husband Joshua, had passed away prior to the events of Adventure Time. The cause of death is unknown.

What percentage of the saga does Jake own? ›

(Jake and Josh) only own 25 percent of the boat, Cornelia (Marie Devlin) owns 75 percent. The Coast Guard has a zero-tolerance policy. Having drugs on the boat is against the law. I have a captain's license.

Is the Cornelia Marie gone from Deadliest Catch? ›

Cornelia Marie disappeared from Deadliest Catch due to captain Josh Harris' legal troubles and the show cutting ties with him and co-owner Casey McManus. The ship's last appearance was in season 18, and it did not return for season 19 or 20.

How did Jake take over the saga? ›

Jake got his break in 2015, when he was offered the captain's chair on F/V Saga. Just two days after the birth of his first son, Aiden, Jake took command of the wheelhouse of the Saga and led the crew through a challenging—but successful—Opie season.

Why did Discovery sue the Hillstrands? ›

Discovery sued the Hillstrands for $3 million claiming they failed to appear to finish filming the “Catch” spin-off, “Hillstranded.” Their lawyer reportedly claimed the suit was an attempt to “extort” the duo and could ultimately compromise their fishing business.

What happened to Jake's wife on Deadliest Catch? ›

Deadliest Catch star Jake Harris has suffered another tragedy. His wife Shawna Brinkly has died. According to the Captain Phil Forever Facebook page, Captain Phil's youngest son's wife has passed away. We here at Captain Phil Harris Forever are sending condolences out to Jake Harris for the loss of his wife Shawna.

What happened to Jake's sister on Deadliest Catch? ›

Deadliest Catch Season 19 star Jake Anderson is no stranger to loss. In 2009, Jake's sister, Chelsea, died from pneumonia complications.

Did they ever find out what happened to Jake Anderson's dad? ›

In June 2012, a hiker stumbled upon human remains in a "remote area of Skagit County," per KOMO News. It was determined that the remains, which were located roughly one mile from where Keith Anderson's truck was found, were that of Jake's father.

Is Jake still married to Vienna? ›

The season "On the Wings of Love" followed the pilot's search for a wife. Although the relationship didn't last long, he chose to propose to controversial contestant Vienna Girardi. Despite the breakup, his appearance on The Bachelor increased his notoriety, and he's kept busy.

What boat does Jake Anderson own? ›

Today I went to go see Jake Anderson's new Crab Boat that he owns called th Titan Explorer. The Titan Explorer just arrived into town recently. I will definitely keep you all updated on Jake's new boat and it will be really cool to see what he does to it in the near future.

What happened to Anthony Anderson's father? ›

About 10 years ago, my dad passed away from type 2 diabetes complications. That was really tough, especially knowing that if my dad had taken better care of himself, he might still be here. That was a real wake-up call for me.

What happened to Todd Kochutin? ›

He died at 30 years old after sustaining injuries while aboard the F/V Patricia Lee. “Todd was born in Anchorage, Alaska, to Robert Olsen and Deanna Kochutin,” his obituary reads. “He was a passionate fisherman. He devoted most of summers and winters to fishing for king crab,...

How did Jake's dad find Finn? ›

History. Joshua first appeared with his wife in one of Finn's flashbacks in the episode "Memories of Boom Boom Mountain." They found Finn after he had soiled himself causing him to be stuck to a leaf. Finn claims to have cried for a whole day before anyone helped him.

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