Blake Painter of Deadliest Catch fame has been found dead aged 38 in Oregon.

He died days before police discovered his body at his home on Friday, where they are examining substances for narcotics, TMZ reports.

Although there were prescription pills on the scene, it is possible they were not involved in Painter's death. Law enforcement do not suspect foul play at this time.

Dearly departed: Blake Painter of The Deadliest Catch has been found dead aged 38 in Oregon; law enforcement do not suspect foul play

A friend of his had called the police, having become worried because he had not had contact with Painter for days on end.

An autopsy and toxicology test are to be performed on Painter, who appeared on the second and third seasons of Deadliest Catch.

Nick McGlashan, who also stars on Deadliest Catch, took to Twitter on Saturday to announce: 'A former crabber on Deadliest Catch' had 'lost his life to an overdose'.

The Astoria Police Department did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment.

Painter's hometown newspaper The Daily Astorian reported that a man of his name and age was arrested this January after a police officer allegedly caught sight of him smoking heroin at the wheel.

He was charged with unlawful possession of heroin, tampering with physical evidence, and reckless driving.

The incident was not Painter's first run in with police, Hollywood Life reported.

The respected captain was arrested for gun possession, recklessly endangering another person and criminal mischief in January 2001.

Painter was arrested for a DUI charge in 2013 and for driving on a suspended license in 2015.

Young loss: He died days before police discovered his body at his home, where they are examining substances for narcotics

He was in a harrowing accident three years ago, wrecking his pickup truck against a tree while towing a gillnet boat in the Astoria area.

Painter was retrieved from the crash with the Jaws Of Life, whereupon he was flown to Portland for hospital treatment, according to The Daily Astorian.

In 2013, he told Investigate West about the physical problems his profession has caused him, including carpal tunnel syndrome so severe he had to be operated on.

An autopsy and toxicology test are to be performed on Painter, who appeared on the second and third seasons of Deadliest Catch

His troubles included back and shoulder complaints, as well 'the claw' - intense forearm pain as his hands gripped each other when he woke up.

Deadliest Catch, a Discover Channel docu-series that began in 2005 and is still currently running, follows fishers in the Bering Sea.

Painter could be seen on seasons two and three of the show captaining the F/V Maverick, a crabbing vessel in 2006 -2007.