Matthews lived in Bristol, England, for much of his life, as his former home was located near the BBC Natural History Unit's headquarters on Whiteladies Road.[1] His production company created the "Nighmares of Nature" show for the BBC.[2] He and his family had moved to Cape Town, South Africa in 2004.[1][2] He specialized in aerial film shots following his return to South Africa.[2]
Richard Matthews was killed in a small plane crash on 3 March 2013, while filming aerial footage in over the Damaraland area of Kunene Region, Namibia.[1][2] His pilot, Mark Berry, was also killed in the crash.[1]