'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 Steven

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

In the eyes of your family and friends it may seem selfish..but unless you've walked in the shoes of someone with depression, manic depression/bipolar disorder, you haven't a clue to what we go through every day, hoping that this day will be better than the next. There is no cure for depression. Period. There is medication to help, and therapy, but plain and simple, sometimes it's a struggle to get out of bed each day. For those of you who've judged, spend one day in our lives and see how it feels. I'm truly saddened by this man's life ending at such a young age. But he felt he had nowhere else to turn. Even if you do talk to family, friends, even a therapist, unfortunately it doesn't always help. I pray for this man's family to find peace in their time of pain and grief.

By bob

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

Yea, what a wonderful guy! He certainly didn't give a s**t about his wife and two sons.

Wednesday 01 December

By Elizabeth

Vote down Vote up Report this

You have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.

By billie

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Melanie you are an idiot. Carry that around with you. YOU ARE AN IDIOT.

Melanie you are an idiot.

By Janey

Melanie here is what you don't understand. A depressed person does not see suicide as selfish - they think they are doing their loved ones a favor by going away.

Friday 05 November

By getreal13

Don't listen to these people. Suicide is the ultimate act of selfishness, and it is a cowardly way to die. Now these kids and his wife are gonna be walking around thinking it's their fault he killed himself. There is no honor in it. Oh, and suicide is the ultimate act of murder. However, it is still sad; FOR THE FAMILY.

By mstrow13

I just want to say shame on the people who are judging Matt because of how he went out. It will not help anybody frieving, especially his family. I did not know him but a few episodes but have been crying all night. I'm upset that I didn't know about this earlier and feel like they used this to get me to watch the show. Now I don't know what to think about the show. Do they care???

By h8snova

Hey Melanie: I can only imagine how depressed your family must be to have you as a part of it. It must be horrible to be as pious and cold hearted as you are. It is so sad he lived in that kind of pain and so sad for his wife and children. Grow the F*** up!

By dana

i am trying to be nice and that is out of respect for the hughes family because they have enough on there plate.they don't need to deal with bone heads like you.you are all about generation me.if you don't beleive me just look at the first 2 letters of your name ME.and that's all i have to say about that.

Monday 08 November

By kurious kitty

why did he have a family if he was thinking of killing himself for most of his life? why bring others into your darkness? having siblings and parents see you depressed most of your life is enough...another thing that I dont get is that he is risking his life on tv so that his kids can see how little he values his life. its mind boggling. ...my thoughts go out to his kids..i cant imagine loosing a parent at such a young age.

Wednesday 10 November

By KimT

I just watched the episode- I cried! It is so hard to watch Matt filled with such excitement and joy over his success to then hear he is gone. He was such a wonderful young man, I am sorry he felt so lost in life to end it. I pray for all of his family.

By lacy

so sad i saw the dedication episode and was so shocked i had turned my head to do something and only caught the last little part about his family and friends were with him so i googled it and couldn't believe he was depressed so sad i will miss him on storm chasers

By Amber

While I can't image the pain that this man must have been going through or the frame of mind that one would have to be in to want to end their life, I do understand the problems of trauma in a person's life.
I was on a field trip in high school when a boy was hit and killed by a car while crossing a four lane road without a crosswalk and while I didn't actually see him get hit, I did see the aftermath. So now I have to deal with images that will not leave, that are triggered by certain situations. However, life still has it's happy moments and I don't think that I could ever take my own life simply because life still has it's joyful moments.
So, I pray for Matt Hughes and his family, that they would find peace and that his spirit would find peace and joy. I also pray for anyone that is suffering from depression of any kind or a trauma, that you would find joy in life to keep on living and to keep on trying to find a way to continue on life's road. Even if times may seem unsurmountable right now, they will not stay that way, life is full of joy, you just have to know where to look.

Thursday 11 November

By pjsmile

I disagree with the idea of bravery being a part of Matt Hughes'life regarding his job. He chose and was paid for chasing his dream while fully realizing the dangers involved. His bravery existed as long as he was able to win over the tornado in his brain. He had no choice in the matter regarding a disease. I am sorry he lost his battle.

Saturday 20 November

By rebecca

you explained incredibly well, good job

Page 3 of 3