'Storm Chasers' Star Matt Hughes Dead at 30

By Zach Dionne Posted Nov 4th 2010 10:13AM

Veteran meteorologist Matt Hughes, a star on Discovery Channel's 'Storm Chasers,' was memorialized in his final episode on Nov. 3. He died on May 26 in Wichita, Kansas, at 30 years old. Many fans only learned of his death when the episode aired.

The installment, titled 'Dedication,' detailed Hughes' final storm chase. Hughes is survived by his wife, Kendra, and two sons, Collin and Hunter. A June 7 blog post from Wichita's ABC affiliate KAKE-TV, written by Hughes' friend and former colleague, reads: "Matt Hughes was taken to the hospital after trying to take his life. Matt was in the hospital for several days in intensive care, there was a 24 hour vigil outside the waiting room, family, other chasers, business associates, etc. I knew we were going to lose him. What a lot of us didn't know was that he suffered from depression."

"Matt has had a life-long fascination with extreme weather," reads a Discovery Channel biography of Hughes. "Last year, Matt forecasted for the TIV team in the follow vehicle, Doghouse. This season, Matt is out of the Doghouse and in the navigation seat of the TIV, hoping to guide Sean to a perfect tornado intercept."

"Matt's been asking for more control all year long," Sean Casey, leader of the storm-chasing TIV team, said at the episode's beginning. The rest of the show detailed Hughes' leadership on what Discovery Channel dubbed the show's "best tornado intercept ever."

According to the KAKE blog post, more than 500 people attended Hughes' funeral. "Matt was a young, vibrant, and resourceful man," wrote reporter Aaron Blaser. "One who embodies the passion everyone should have doing something they love. He would do anything for anyone, would try to make everyone happy, would try to do a good job for someone ... and would never ask for anything in return."

A larger sample of Hughes' 'Storm Chasers' bio reads:

Growing up in the heart of Tornado Alley, he was able to witness severe storms from an early age. This passion has yielded Matt nearly two decades worth of storm chasing expertise. In addition to chasing with the TIV team, Matt chases for a Wichita news affiliate, and regularly contributes to the nationally syndicated radio show The Storm Report.

Discovery established a memorial fund to benefit Hughes' young sons. According to Zap2It, upcoming episodes of the series will show the team mourning the loss of their colleague.

See a preview of Hughes' final episode, with footage of his triumphant tornado interception:

Tags: Discovery Channel, Matt Hughes, Storm Chasers

Comments

(56)

Thursday 04 November

By sterlingbasset

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Melanie you should be ashamed of yourself. Try to walk in the shoes of some one who is seriously depressed. You truly have no idea WHAT you are talking about! We should all greave for this man and his family. His death is a very sad thing and it should open our eyes to depression. Please get some help, you seem like a very angry person and that is a sign of depression. Please take care of yourself and try to see the other persons pain. You are not so very different.

By Marie

Such a tragic ending to his life. Such a horrific thing for his wife and children to go through. I have lived with the condition of clinical depression for over a decade now, and there are no words to explain how hard it can get to someone that doesn't suffer the condition.

Let this be a reality check for everyone. Depression KILLS, and it doesn't understand racial or economic bounderies. It doesn't care if you are a celeb or a homeless person, white or black. It can strike anyone. Learn the symptoms. You might not see them in yourself, most suffering it don't, but you might just be the one to see it in someone close to you and help them get the help they need so that they don't end up like this young man.

By Greg

Its not an easy thing to admit to being depressed and many people who are depressed are able to repress their emotions or sadness for long periods of time hiding it under a veil of secrecy trying to put on a happy face during emotional downhill battles Matt will surely be missed by those who knew him as well as the countless number of fans who watched Storm Chasers on national TV may you reign in heaven forever more

By jyatt7

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You are an id !!!!

By georgie

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That is a terrible shame. I feel for the family and friends that he left behind to pick up the pieces of their lives without him.

By xanimebabyx

Its true that those who have never suffered from it cant understand it (like myself), but i do think there is some selfishness involved in depression. I had a friend who suffered from it, she had a terrific son who had to deal with many joyless holidays because his mom wouldnt get help. Christmases were so depressing, i felt so bad for the young boy. I know my friend didnt choose to be depressed, but for the sake of her very sweet child, why didnt she get help? Or this fellow for that matter??

By Julie

What a know-it-all you (and several others) are. How can you hope to know if this guy sought help or not? Also, medications for depression don't always work for everybody.

Wednesday 01 December

By Elizabeth

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What makes you think that there is anything or anyone that can help? Unless you have suffered through it, you cannot possibly understand. Matt was a great person, and the show is not worth watching without him.

By BR

It is very easy for people to say just go get help, however when you are in a deep rooted depression (I know I was there and very ashamed to say I attempted suicide) I regret it everyday as I know how badly it effected my children.I do feel as though I was selfish at times. When I did that I was not in my right mind and I truly believed the world would be a better place without me in it. I have since been through extensive therapy and am on medication but I still have periods where I feel very down and dont feel well but I look now to the people that love me (but it took alot of time in therapy to get me there) Before my attempt I just shut myself off from the world ignored phone calls and just kept telling people I was fine just dealing with a lot of stuff anything to not put focus on me because I truly in my confused mind didnt think I was worth it I now know I am. So please everyone don't judge and I for one wish he had the second chance I did because I now just cant believe I could have done that.

By ruby2070

Why is it he died about 6 months ago but we're just now being told? Seriously.
And he was so young, only 30 years old. I'm a bit shocked at all the people saying how killing himself was selfish, stupid, how he was wacko.... It's stupid. I usually say that killing yourself is pretty weak and selfish, but that's only if you're just doing it because of a temporary problem, like being bullied. Sure, the scars will stay, but you'll eventually STOP being bullied.
Depression... I can't wrap my mind around it. Suicide because of depression is not the same as Suicide because you're confused or something. That I understand. I can't say much more about depression. It's so sad that he died.

By Ron

It did make news back when it happened, but honestly he wasn't well known enough for it to get picked up by alot of sources. His last episode aired last night since they were still filming when it happened, which is why its making news now

By Dave

Hey Melanie, I guess your reaction is understandable if you're reacting as a devastated survivor might, but you may want to learn about severe depression and what the sufferer is actually going through. Please read "Darkness Visible" by William Styron (a very quick read), and read the other posts by people who have suffered from severe depression. Yes, it's tragic for the family, but obviously it's tragic for him and he could literally only see one way out of his severe suffering. He does not deserve condemnation.

Who says he didn't get help? How can you possibly know the situation? And those callous people who apparently ARE heartless would you say those things to his wife and kids I wonder? If not then why say it here?

By Jane

Matt Hughes God rest your soul. Your loved ones are in my thoughts and prayers.

Your name says it all.

By DJ

It is a selfish act to take ones own life yet if you have never suffered with major depression it is hard to understand how it can push you to kill yourself. I have PTSD and fight depression every day. I also fight every day with the desire to kill myself. Audy Murphy (WW11) said that every day he put a gun in his mouth and had to fight to keep from pulling the trigger. Depression beats you down day after day until death seems to be the best choice to make. It is a sad end for many good people who felt they had no other choice but to take their life.

By yfa2

Whether any of you approve of the statement or not, suicide is a selfish act. That doesn't mean he didn't have severe depression or felt he'd never get things on track. It's just a fact. I am very depressed, but I could never do that to my parents and husband. My brother, on the other hand, threatens suicide weekly. Everyone's different. It's very unfortunate, and I hope his family will be alright. You can blame the "disease," but don't say it isn't selfish.

By Margie

RIP Matt. We enjoyed watching you storm chase.
Our sympathies go out to your family & friends.

By pault2thompson

Jackie--I'l bet your using a Mac. I find that I can't open the photo gallery when using Safari but it works fine on a Mac if you use another browser like firefox.

By sherri connolly

Depression hurst everyone but first of all the person it affects. You know nothing about this disease as I can tell from your writing so do not say anything. His family is grieving but he was not helped for this disease. Please leave your ignormous points out of it.

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