Captain Mark Howard, the face of Bravo's Below Deck Mediterranean, died at the age of 65. Tiffany Jones, his co-star and stewardess, announced his death on Twitter.
Meanwhile, a family source told TMZ that the veteran died in a “sudden” death at his Florida home last week. According to police reports, boxes surrounded Captain Mark Howard's body as it lay against a shelf. Droplets of blood were also discovered on the floor and the side of his face.
The event allegedly occurred between October 22 and 27, while the captain's wife was out of town attending a dog show. When she returned home, she was the first to discover her husband's body.
Who Was Captain Mark Howard?
Captain Mark Howard was a senior yacht captain as well as a television personality. He is most known for his involvement in Bravo's Below Deck Mediterranean's first season. The 65-year-old was born and reared in Michigan, according to Bravo TV.
For 30 years, he worked as a yacht skipper and was well-liked and respected in his community. He has considerable worldwide sailing experience, sailing in private and charter boats from the South Pacific to the Mediterranean and Caribbean.
Howard was famous for his golden rule: “The guest is always right.” He also held a valid pilot's license and had an interest in flying helicopters.
He was known for his professionalism and frequently advised his coworkers to be honest, industrious, and courteous to senior crew members.
The first season of Below Deck Mediterranean had Captain Mark Howard as captain of the Ionian Princess. He did not come back for the second season. Captain Sandy Yawn took his place on the show.
How Did Captain Mark Howard Die?
Captain Howard died in Florida, according to TMZ, at some point near the end of October.
“Our thoughts and sincerest sympathies are with the family and friends of the respected Captain Mark Howard,” Bravo wrote in an e-mail.
“As the captain of the first season of Below Deck Med, he will always be remembered for his many contributions and mentorship and will forever remain part of the Bravo family.”
Tiffany Copeland, Howard's co-star, also paid tribute to him at the time, tweeting, “RIP Captain Mark Howard. You were a pleasure to be around.”
On December 13, the medical examiner's report stated that Howard died naturally as a result of hypertensive cardiovascular disease and chronic alcoholism.
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Below Deck, fans flocked to social media to express their sorrow over Howard's death. “Rest in peace to the first captain, Mark Howard, on Below Deck Mediterranean,” a member of the audience wrote.
“I am deeply grieved to learn of Captain Mark Howard's death. “He was very nice,” wrote another. “Noooooo!!! Captain Mark is fantastic! “I wish Bravo had retained him as captain on #BelowDeck,” said another.
