'My 600-lb Life': How Robert Buchel and Kelly Manson's journey tragically ended after they died during filming

Kelly Mason and Robert Buchel succumbed to health complications resulting from the drastic changes that occurred in their bodies during the period of transformation
PUBLISHED APR 30, 2020
Kelly Manson, Robert Buchel (TLC)
Kelly Manson, Robert Buchel (TLC)

TLC’s ‘My 600-lb Life’ has witnessed a variety of cases during its course. While some enter the show hoping to put their lives back on track, there were also a few patients who chose to remain a slave to their eating habits. 

However, for some of them, the journey through weight loss has been harder than the rest. Losing hundreds of pounds and layers of extra skin gave them hope to a new life. But a few like Kelly Mason and Robert Buchel succumbed to health complications resulting from the drastic changes that occurred in their bodies during the period of transformation. 

Today, we decided to bring to you the sad story of two such patients of ‘My 600-lb Life’ who lost their lives while filming their respective episodes. 

Kelly Mason 

Kelly Mason (TLC)

Kelly Mason, 41 years old from Greensboro, NC, was featured in Season 7 of ‘My 600-lb Life’. At the beginning of her weight loss journey, she weighed over 725.5 pounds, one of the heaviest patients on the show.  However, her transformation serves an inspiration to many as she lost a whopping 342 pounds in less than 10 months, impressing fans and Dr Now alike. 

But, Mason’s story ended in the tenth month of filming as she passed away in her sleep due to a heart attack. 

In a phone call with Mason’s father following her demise, Dr Now said, “I want to tell you that Kelly tried very hard and fought all the way the end. She’s an inspiration.” 

Meanwhile, fans were left further devastated when it was revealed that Mason died only a day before her birthday. 

Robert Buchel 

Robert Buchel (TLC)

Robert Buchel was the heaviest of all in Season 6 of ‘My 600lb Life’, weighing around 840 pounds when he started filming his episode. Despite his age and immense lack of mobility, Buchel managed to drop 340 pounds in about 9 months, under the guidance of Dr Now. 

But, his journey came to an end much before he completed a year on the show as he succumbed a fatal heart attack while still on the show. 

His fiancee Kathryn issued a statement saying, "I lost my best friend and the person I was supposed to spend the rest of my life with.”

‘My 600-lb Life’ airs on Wednesdays on TLC. 

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