Keith Anderson was a retired high school counselor and the father of Jake Anderson, a fishing captain and reality TV star who co-owns the FV Saga and appears on the Discovery Channel show Deadliest Catch. Keith Anderson’s death was one of the most tragic and haunting events in the history of the show, as he went missing in 2010 and his remains were found two years later in a remote area of Washington state. What happened to Keith Anderson, and how did his family cope with his loss? Here is the story behind his mysterious disappearance and death.
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The Disappearance of Keith Anderson
Keith Anderson was last seen on January 6, 2010, when he left his home in Snohomish County, Washington, to meet his drug dealer. According to Perez Hilton, Keith had become addicted to Oxycontin after rotator cuff surgery and later broke four ribs and was prescribed the drug again. He tried to quit the drug but struggled with withdrawal symptoms and depression. He was also grieving the death of his daughter, Chelsea Dawn Anderson, who had died of pneumonia at the age of 37 in February 2009.
Keith’s son, Jake Anderson, who was working as a deckhand on the Northwestern at the time, received a phone call from his mother informing him that his father had gone missing. Jake was devastated by the news and felt helpless as he could not leave his job to search for his father. He also had to deal with the death of Captain Phil Harris, who had a stroke while offloading crabs from the Cornelia Marie and died on February 9, 2010.
Two weeks after Keith’s disappearance, his truck was found abandoned in a rural area of Skagit County, about 85 miles north of Seattle. His cellphone was also found in a muddy puddle near his house. The police searched the area but found no trace of Keith. They did not suspect foul play but believed that Keith might have wandered off into the woods or fallen into a river.
The Discovery of Keith Anderson’s Remains
In April 2012, a hiker stumbled upon a human skull and other bones near where Keith’s truck had been found. The remains were later identified as belonging to Keith Anderson through dental records. The cause and manner of death could not be determined due to the advanced state of decomposition. No one has ever been arrested or charged in connection with Keith’s death.
The discovery of Keith’s remains was broadcast on Deadliest Catch in June 2012, in an episode titled “The Bitter, Bloody End”. Jake Anderson received a phone call from his brother informing him that their father’s body had been found. Jake broke down in tears and hugged his fellow crew members, who offered him their condolences and support. Jake later said that he felt relieved that his father’s case was finally closed and that he could give him a proper burial.
The Impact of Keith Anderson’s Death on His Family
Keith Anderson’s death had a profound impact on his family, especially on his son Jake, who had to deal with two major losses in a short span of time. Jake said that he felt guilty for not being able to help his father and that he blamed himself for his sister’s death as well. He also struggled with substance abuse and suicidal thoughts after his father’s disappearance.
However, Jake also said that his father’s death motivated him to pursue his dream of becoming a fishing captain and owning his own boat. He said that he wanted to honor his father’s legacy and make him proud. He also credited his faith in God and his wife Jenna for helping him overcome his grief and addiction. Jake and Jenna got married in 2012 and have three children together: Aiden, Cadence, and Luca.
Jake Anderson has continued to appear on Deadliest Catch since 2007 and has become one of the most popular and successful captains on the show. He co-owns the FV Saga with Johnathan Hillstrand and has proven himself as a skilled and fearless leader. He has also written a book about his life story called Relapse: A Love Story with Fishing (2014), which details his struggles with addiction, depression, and loss.
Keith Anderson was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend who touched many lives with his kindness and wisdom. His death was a tragic and mysterious event that shocked and saddened many fans of Deadliest Catch. His memory lives on through his son Jake, who has followed in his footsteps as a fisherman and a reality TV star.
