Mark Howard Dead: ‘Below Deck Mediterranean’ Star’s Body Found By Wife In Florida Home

“Below Deck Mediterranean’s” Captain Mark Howard has died. He was 65.

Howard, who starred in the first season of the reality series, reportedly passed away this week in his Florida home. It was not clear when exactly he died as his body was only found by his wife, Susan, after she returned home from a six-day trip Wednesday.

Susan was out of town from Oct. 22 through 27 for a dog show. She said she found her husband dead upstairs when she returned home, a police report obtained by TMZ indicated.

A cause of death for Howard has not been released.

Police noted in the report that Captain Howard’s body was laying up against a shelf when he was found and multiple boxes appeared to have fallen on him. There were blood droplets on the floor and blood on the side of his face, but it was not immediately clear if Howard suffered any sort of trauma.

The outlet also noted that there’s no word if an investigation has been launched, or if authorities have already ruled it out as an accident or a medical episode.

One of Howard’s friends told TMZ that the reality star’s passing was rather “sudden” and that they did not know the exact date and cause of his death.

Bravo has since issued a statement after learning about the demise of one of the well-respected figures of authority in “Below Deck Mediterranean’s” first season, which premiered in 2016.

“Our thoughts and sincerest sympathies are with the family and friends of the respected Captain Mark Howard. 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,” the network said in the statement shared on Instagram.

Other stars of the series who worked with Howard paid tribute to him on social media following the news. The late captain’s third stewardess Tiffany Jones shared on Twitter photos she had taken with Howard and other crew members and wrote, “RIP Captain Mark Howard. You were a joy to be around.”

Chief stewardess Hannah Ferrier shared a snap of Howard on her Instagram and wrote a heartfelt message for him that read, “Rest in peace, my friend. You were a great captain, friend and colleague. Always the gentleman. You will be missed.”

The Michigan native was a yacht captain for almost 30 years. He also had a pilot's license, and he used to fly helicopters in his free time, according to Page Six.