Daughter’s suit against ‘Deadliest Catch’ star can proceed

A 2016 lawsuit filed accuses Hansen of sexually abusing her in 1990 when she was about 2 years old.

  • By Wire Service
  • Wednesday, August 1, 2018 6:22am
  • Northwest
In this 2008 photo, Sig Hansen arrives at the Fox Reality Channel Really Awards in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File)

In this 2008 photo, Sig Hansen arrives at the Fox Reality Channel Really Awards in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File)

Associated Press

SEATTLE — The Washington state Court of Appeals has ruled that a civil lawsuit brought against celebrity crab-boat captain Sig Hansen by his daughter can proceed.

SeattlePI.com reports the Division I Court of Appeals ruled Monday upholding a judge’s 2017 decision to deny Hansen’s motion to dismiss the case.

A 2016 lawsuit filed by his estranged daughter Melissa Eckstrom accuses Hansen of sexually abusing her in 1990 when she was about 2 years old. Now a family-law attorney in Seattle, Eckstrom claims that the alleged abuse led to major emotional problems.

The 52-year-old “Deadliest Catch” star who lives near Seattle has vehemently denied the accusations and said Monday that he would appeal the ruling.

Eckstrom’s lawsuit echoes allegations Hansen’s ex-wife leveled in 1990 during a custody battle. After a trial in 1992, a King County judge found that Hansen hadn’t abused Eckstrom.

Records show police arrested Hansen in 1990 but prosecutors declined to file charges citing proof problems.

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