Elliott Neese is a commercial fisherman and boat captain who gained national recognition for his role on the reality TV show “Deadliest Catch”, which chronicles the adventures and dangers of commercial fishing in the Bering Sea. Neese joined the show in its seventh season as the captain of FV Ramblin’ Rose, and later helmed FV Saga, one of the most popular and reputed fishing vessels on the show. However, his stint on the show was marred by controversy, drama, and personal struggles, which eventually led to his departure from the series after season 11. What happened to Elliott Neese, and where is he now? Here is a brief overview of his life and career.
Early Life and Career
Neese was born in 1985 in Alaska, where he grew up surrounded by the fishing industry. His father was a fisherman and taught him the ropes of the trade from a young age. Neese started working on fishing boats when he was 12 years old, and by the time he was 19, he had obtained his captain’s license. He quickly rose through the ranks and became one of the youngest and most successful captains in the fleet. He was known for his ambition, skill, and courage, as well as his rebellious and temperamental attitude.
Deadliest Catch Fame and Controversy
Neese made his debut on “Deadliest Catch” in 2011, as the captain of FV Ramblin’ Rose. He immediately attracted attention for his bold and risky moves, often clashing with other captains and crew members. He also had a turbulent relationship with his girlfriend and mother of his two children, Valerie Gunderson, who accused him of harassment and violence in 2012. Neese denied the allegations and claimed that they were fabricated to ruin his reputation.
In season 9, Neese switched to FV Saga, a larger and more advanced boat that he co-owned with Johnathan Hillstrand, another captain on the show. He hoped to make more money and prove himself as a top fisherman. However, he also faced more challenges and pressure, as he had to deal with a mutinous crew, mechanical problems, and fierce competition. He also struggled with substance abuse and depression, which affected his performance and judgment.
In season 10, Neese showed a heroic side when he rescued six crew members of FV Arctic Hunter, which ran aground and sank in a storm. He risked his own life to save them, earning praise and respect from his peers. However, he also faced legal troubles when he was fined for catching undersized crabs during his time on the show.
In season 11, Neese abruptly handed over the captaincy of FV Saga to his first mate Jeff Folk, before leaving the show for good. He later announced that he had checked himself into a rehab facility to deal with his drug addiction. He said that he wanted to get clean and sober for himself and his family.
Life After Deadliest Catch
After leaving the show, Neese continued to battle with his addiction issues and reportedly relapsed several times. He also lost contact with many of his former friends and colleagues from the fishing industry. He has been living a low-profile life away from the public eye since then.
According to some sources, Neese has been spearfishing in tropical locations such as Hawaii and Mexico. He occasionally posts pictures of his catches on his Instagram account @captainelliott, where he has over 10K followers. He also seems to have found love again with a new girlfriend named Erika Fridenbergs.
Neese has not commented on whether he plans to return to fishing or reality TV in the future. He has also not addressed some of the rumors that have circulated about him online, such as being homeless or dead. His fans hope that he is doing well and wish him all the best in his recovery journey.