Destinee LaShaee of TLC’s “My 600-Lb. Life” has died, their brother announced in a moving Facebook post Tuesday. The trans star, who used “they/them” pronouns, was 30.
“No no no I’m sorry bro,” LaShaee’s brother, Wayne Compton, wrote alongside photos of their family. “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 too [sic], I’m sorry you felt you had no other option Destiny wouldn’t of [sic] wanted this, lord why keep taking my siblings away, how much can I take💔💔.”
The network added in a statement to People, “Our deepest sympathies go out to Destinee’s family and loved ones at this difficult time.”
A cause of death has not been revealed.
LaShanee became the first transgender participant of the reality show during their time on Season 7, which aired in 2019.
They also went by their birth name, Matthew Ventress.
LaShanee weighed in at 669 pounds when the show began, losing 229 pounds within a year thanks in part to gastric sleeve surgery. After leaving the series, they maintained healthy habits and became a social media influencer, inspiring followers with their weight loss journey.
The reality star spoke of battling depression while on the show, saying they had formed the habit of using food to self-soothe.
“I just lay here all day and wait for food. I don’t see any of my family and friends, unless they come to see me,” they said during a Season 7 episode. “I feel like all I’m constantly doing is trying to escape my depression and pain at this point. Food is the only thing I can turn to to do that. I can feel it killing me.”
LaShaee continued, “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.”