How did Destinee Lashaee die? My 600 lb Life's first trans star was 'living with pain'
TRIGGER WARNING: Article contains description of suicide and depression
Lousiana native Destinee Lashaee aka Matthew Ventress, who became a well-known face after her appearance on 'My 600 Lb Life', has reportedly died at the age of 30 years. The transgender star, who was assigned male at birth as Matthew Ventress, appeared on season seven of the TLC reality show in March 2019. Her brother Wayne Compton revealed the shocking news of her death with a heartbreaking post on Facebook.
"I accept you for who you are, I accept every flaw that come with you. I'm sorry you felt alone. I'm sorry you felt you had nobody else to turn to, I'm sorry you felt you had no other option," Wayne noted. He addressed Destinee's prolonged battle with depression and mental health, about which she had opened up three years ago. Although Wayne did not disclose the cause of her death, it is believed that Destinee died by suicide.
READ MORE
Did Instagram affect Ian Alexander's mental health? Regina King's son dies by suicide
How did Kevin Ward die? Maryland Mayor, 44, found dead in park with gunshot wound
The 30-year-old reality star had been living as both Matthew and Destinee for many years. Her social media posts hinted at her struggle with depression as she often shared alarming posts on love, loss, and life. Her last photos on Instagram were posted a week before her death, which she captioned as "Gracefully Broken❤️🩹🙏".
On February 5, Destinee shared a series of posts on Facebook that raised concerns among fans. "To everyone who genuinely love and support me, I love you and I'm grateful to have touched millions of lives and hearts around the world," she wrote, adding, "Living my life with so much pain for so long I've come to realize that God makes no mistakes.
I'm grateful for my journey and all I've been through. I don't regret a single moment. Love you all." She shared the post via the Facebook page of her late sister Destiny Compton.
She had attempted suicide once before as well at the age of 25 after her brother Anthony died in her arms due to surgical complications. Destinee Lashaee had appeared on 'My 600 Lb Life' following her massive weight gain of 668 pounds in 2019, as she revealed that she used food "to dull the pain" from her childhood.
"'My situation is at a breaking point. I need to be able to get help, I need to be able to lose this weight or they're going to be burying me next because I don't think I can live until next year being this big. At this rate, I give myself a couple months," she shared during the show. She then sought help from weight loss surgeon Dr. Younan Nowzardan and went on to lose nearly 500 pounds. In August 2021, Destinee sued 'My 600 Lb Life's production company Megalomedia for failing to provide her mental health support as promised.