Man suspected of killing former ‘Deadliest Catch’ associate producer found dead

A 24-year-old man suspected of killing a former associate producer on the Discovery Channel reality program “Deadliest Catch” has been found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said.

The man, whose identity hasn’t been released, was found dead inside his vehicle about 4 p.m. Friday in the 300 block of North Kenter Avenue in Brentwood.

Prior to discovering his body, authorities had identified the man as a suspect in the shooting death of Joseph McMahon. McMahon, 24, was killed early Friday morning.

Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials did not say how the men knew each other.

Deputies had been called to the 3600 block of Yorkshire Road in an unincorporated area of Pasadena about 2:19 a.m. Friday after someone reported gunfire, according to Lt. Holly Francisco.

McMahon was found lying on the street with gunshot wounds to his torso. He died at the scene. Francisco said the shooting took place very near to his parents’ home, where he lived

KCBS-TV reported that family friends said McMahon had worked on the “Deadliest Catch” as an associate producer. A cast and crew list for the show on IMDB credits a Joe McMahon as an associate producer on nine episodes of the program in 2013.

McMahon’s family could not immediately be reached for comment.

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Detectives say they don’t know why McMahon was gunned down. He had no history of drug use and wasn’t involved in gangs, Francisco said.

Witnesses told KABC-TV that after the gunshots were fired, they heard a car speeding away from the neighborhood.

Detectives were looking for surveillance video footage in the area, Francisco said. They want to interview friends, family, former coworkers or anyone who knew McMahon.

“We want to talk to the last group of people who he was with,” she said.

Two weeks ago, there was a police shooting in the same neighborhood. On July 10, deputies shot a woman who they said fired at a deputy outside a home in the 3300 block of Yorkshire Road.

The woman’s wounds were not considered life threatening. Deputies said the woman’s husband had called authorities to report that she had medical issues and was armed with a gun.

When deputies went to the couple’s home, they found the woman holding a gun and standing outside.

Francisco said the shootings are not related.

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