The father of three's death has now been officially ruled and accident after he drowned "with probable hypothermia" and "submersion of body in cold water," his death certificate said. He fell overboard while crabbing on a fishing boat off the coast of Alaska and although his body was recovered minutes after he fell, several attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. His death was caught on camera but his mother, Angela, told TMZ the family doesn’t want the footage to be aired.

"We don’t want to see any footage of the accident and do not want Discovery to air any of that footage or make money off of our son’s death," she said.

A spokesperson for Discovery Channel described his passing as a "devastating loss" and said they were "deeply saddened by the tragic passing" of the TV star.

They added: "Our hearts are with his loved ones, his crewmates, and the entire fishing community during this incredibly difficult time."

A GoFundMe was set up in the aftermath of his death, which at the time of writing, has 984 donations and has reached $57,190 out of a $65,000 goal.

The accompanying post reads: "This unimaginable loss has left his children without their father, his parents without their son, his siblings without their brother and his family broken.

"As the family navigates this heartbreaking time, we are raising funds to help support his three boys, assist with funeral expenses, and help ease the financial burden in the months ahead.

"Any donation, no matter the size, will go directly toward honoring his life and ensuring his boys are cared for in the way he would have wanted. If you are unable to give, please keep our family in your prayers and his name alive like he wanted."

He was also praised for being a beloved father, son, brother and friend, leaving three young boys, who they said were his "entire world".