What Happened to Elliott Neese From 'Deadliest Catch'? A Look at His Life Beyond the Show

Discovery Channel hit reality show Deadliest Catch has showcased plenty of tough, resourceful, and insightful fishermen (and women) over the years. However, for fans hoping to see the return of controversial captain, Elliott Neese, it appears that the waters are still murky surrounding that possibility.

Ever since the crab fisherman left the series in Season 11, viewers — well, we should say some viewers — have been eager to see the father of two, who was often portrayed as a villain, on camera again. Nonetheless, life has simply gotten in the way of that ever manifesting. Keep reading for an update on the antagonistic TV personality.

In 2015, the captain went AWOL after abruptly handing over the reins of his fishing vessel Saga to first mate Jeff Folk. He later tweeted that he had entered a 60-day rehab program for drug addiction. Unfortunately, his problems didn’t end there.

According to TMZ, Elliott’s baby mama, Valerie Gunderson, obtained a temporary restraining order against the reality star in 2012. Court documents stated that she feared for her personal safety in the event that her ex snapped.

Valerie claimed that Elliott’s violent behavior was nothing new. She alleged that he attacked her in 2006 and smashed her belongings during an incident in 2010.

In early 2017, Elliott revealed to fans that he had relapsed a few months before but celebrated 90 days of sobriety with an Instagram post. Around the same time, the tattooed crab catcher showed off his 20-pound weight gain, sharing that he had built up muscle by working out every day and following a clean lifestyle.

Whether or not the outdoorsman will ever return to Deadliest Catch remains to be seen. The only hint fans have been given into the process is when executive producer Decker Watson tweeted that he’d like to have the hockey enthusiast back on the show.

"I stand by you 100 percent Elliott. I know that. I tried like hell to get you on 13 and you know how that turned out. Maybe Season 14. Keep going El!" Decker wrote in 2017.

As for how he came across on the series, Elliott told KTVA, "I don’t think the role of the villain is fair, but I signed on to be part of this show. They can portray me whichever way they like. I don’t necessarily agree with it or like it, but I have to deal with it."

Although Elliot's role on Deadliest Catch largely defined his persona in the public eye, he has been working hard to return to his passions in his personal life.

The longtime fisherman wasn't always the most active on his social media pages, occasionally sharing updates largely focused on his son, his daughter, and his rabbits. But it appears that Elliot has made a return to the sea and is crabbing once again.

The fisherman shared a picture to Instagram on March 16, 2021, that showcased him back on a fishing vessel with the caption "#steadycrabbin." This marked the biggest hint he has given fans that he has returned to fishing, and plenty of ecstatic Deadliest Catch viewers were there to cheer him on in the comments.

Although the boat, named Aleutian No.1, doesn't seem to be affiliated with Deadliest Catch, Elliot's return to the sea is a good sign considering that his past struggles largely kept him from the job he loves. He hasn't directly addressed whether or not he has managed to stay sober in the years since checking in to a rehabilitation program, but it's clear that he's at least trying to put his past behind him and get back to crabbing.