Captain Keith Vanished After Deadliest Catch Season 20—Here's Why Fans Are Worried
Fans of Deadliest Catch are used to close calls, boat malfunctions, and frigid chaos, but the latest concern isn't about rough seas — it's about someone missing entirely.
As Season 21 gears up for its premiere on August 1 at 8/7c on the Discovery Channel, longtime viewers have noticed a major question mark: Where is Captain Keith Colburn?
Colburn, who's captained the F/V Wizard since Season 3, hasn't been confirmed for the new season. And after what happened in Season 20, fans are right to be uneasy.
What happened in Season 20?
During a 2024 episode, Colburn suffered a serious medical emergency on board the Wizard. It started with an argument with his brother and co-captain Monte "Mouse" Colburn, but escalated fast: Keith lost consciousness, became unresponsive, and when he woke up, reported numbness in his left side and arm.
Initial fears pointed to a heart attack or stroke. Monte contacted shore medical teams and was told to get the vessel back to land as fast as possible. After several tense hours, the Wizard made it to harbor and Keith was medevaced to a hospital.
The diagnosis?
- Troponin test: Negative — meaning no confirmed acute heart attack
- Final diagnosis: Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) — aka a "mini-stroke"
- A TIA is caused by a brief blockage of blood flow to the brain. It's temporary and doesn't cause lasting damage, but according to Mayo Clinic, it's also a serious warning sign for a future stroke
Since the episode aired in October 2024, Colburn has gone dark. His last Instagram post was a Merry Christmas message in December. He reappeared briefly on Facebook in May to acknowledge Memorial Day — but offered no updates on his health or whether he'd be back at sea.
This wasn't his first hospital visit
Back in April 2021, Colburn was hospitalized for more than eight days after contracting COVID-19, which later developed into pneumonia. He's pushed through multiple health scares over the years, but this time around, the silence has fans worried.
Off the boat, Keith has kept a low profile
Colburn has been married to his wife Florence for nearly 40 years. He's referred to her as both his "wife and business partner." They have two adult children:
- Caelan, who graduated from Southern Methodist University in 2018
- Sienna, who would now be in her mid-20s
What now?
With Deadliest Catch returning soon and no official word on Captain Keith's involvement — not from him, not from Discovery — fans are left to wonder if this may quietly be the end of his time on the show.
No final statement. No retirement post. Just radio silence after a medical scare. On Deadliest Catch, disappearing without warning is usually something that happens to the boat. But this time, it's the captain.