Destinee LaShaee, the first transgender individual featured on TLC’s My 600-Lb. Life has died. They were 30.
The cause of death for LaShaee, who was born Matthew Ventress, is not yet known.
The reality TV star’s brother Wayne Compton shared the news about LaShaee’s death in a heartfelt Facebook post on Feb. 8.
“No no no I’m sorry bro, I accept you for who you are,” Wayne wrote. “I accept every flaw that came with you, I’m sorry you felt alone, I’m sorry you felt you had nobody else to turn too, I’m sorry you felt you had no other option. Destiny wouldn’t of wanted this, lord why keep taking my siblings away, how much can I take?”
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TLC also remembered LaShaee in a statement to People magazine.
“Our deepest sympathies go out to Destinee’s family and loved ones at this difficult time,” the statement said.
In 2019, LaShaee appeared on season 7 of My 600-Lb. Life. In the episode titled “Destinee’s Story,” they began their weight loss journey at over 600 pounds.
“Every day I feel like I’m dying, and every day I’m becoming more and more helpless,” Destinee said at the start of the episode.
They also spoke candidly about battling depression. “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,” they said.
By the end of the episode, Destinee underwent gastric sleeve surgery and lost 229 pounds. They continued to live a healthy lifestyle and eventually lost a total of 500 pounds.
In an inspirational Instagram post on Jan. 23, Destinee encouraged others with a video documenting their journey to better health and included the caption “Take back your life.”
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