'My 600-lb Life': From James Bonner to Lisa Fleming, the tragic stories of those who didn't make it
If not for anything, the morbidly obese patients who have appeared on TLC's 'My 600-lb Life' have looked forward to staying alive at least. The majority of them were already on the verge of succumbing to health complications at the beginning of the show owing to their gigantic bodies.
While for some the show has helped mark a new beginning, a few saw a tragic end, despite managing to lose those extra pounds that had brought their lives to a standstill. Here’s a list consisting of such unfortunate patients from TLC's 'My 600-lb Life' who aren't among us anymore.
Sean Milliken
Sean Milliken has been the heaviest patient on 'My 600-lb Life' so far. He weighed over 900 pounds when he began his journey and witnessed a dramatic weight loss by the end of it losing over 400 pounds.
He appeared in Season 4 and was only 26 years old at the time. However, he passed away in 2019. The official statement from his father read, "Sunday he was having problems with his breathing, they were able to resuscitate him and a short time later his heart stopped."
He had admitted on the show that his addiction to food was triggered by the tumultuous relationship he shared with his father.
Lisa Fleming
Lisa Fleming from Season 6 was 50 years old at the time of her death in August 2018. She weighed 704 pounds when the filming of her episode began and lost up to 200 pounds after undergoing the weight loss surgery conducted by Dr Now.
She got severely sick a few years later and her body gave in when she couldn't recover. Fleming's daughter shared the news regarding her mother's tragic death on Facebook with the post, "I am truly at a loss for words right now."
"God knows I wanted you to hold on until I got here but He knew what was best for me. I didn't need to see you like that! This morning I sat and held your hand for four hours knowing nothing I could've done would bring you back to me," she shared.
James "LB" Bonner
James "LB" Bonner was one of the most adored patients on the show. He appeared in Season 6 and lost nearly half his initial body weight towards the end of the year. He continued his weight loss journey even after the show completed and came down to 200 pounds.
However, fans were shocked to learn about his sudden death in August 2018, which is believed to be a suicide after he was found in a ditch with a gunshot wound.
James King
James King was featured in Season 5 which aired in 2017. Even after the completion of his journey on the show, he met with Dr Now for a couple of follow-ups. King, who weighed around 790 pounds, only went on to gain more weight in the years to come.
In an episode that was filmed in 2018, he was shown to weigh around 840 pounds. He recently passed away on April 3, 2020. However, the cause of his death hasn't been revealed.