Ben Rathbun, who gained recognition on season five of 90 Day Fiancé: Before The 90 Days, has sadly died at age 55.
The reality TV star passed away on Monday, May 20, at his home in Greencastle, Indiana,TMZ reported.
His death was first shared by the Instagram page shabootydotcom. According to a family source, he was surrounded by loved ones in his final hours, including his wife, Mahogany Roca.
He had been diagnosed with stage four stomach cancer at the end of 2024, making his health decline swift and heartbreaking.
“I’m saddened by the loss of Ben. He had a unique spirit and a powerful impact on those who knew him well,” one fan wrote on social media after hearing the news.
Another posted: “Oh Wow. Always liked him on the show. So sad. Prayers and condolences to his family, friends, and all that knew and loved him. May he R.I.P.”
Fellow castmates from the 90 Day Fiancé franchise also paid tribute. Kimberly Menzies wrote, “This is so, so sad. My heart breaks for his kids and family.” Mike Berk commented, “Is this for real? This is so sad to see him or anyone die from cancer. Prayers to him and his family and mahogany,” while Lisa Hamme added, “RIP, Ben.”
Rathbun first appeared on the TLC spinoff in December 2021, where viewers followed his online relationship with 22-year-old South American girlfriend Mahogany Roca, who was 30 years his junior. At the time, Rathbun was 52.
The couple’s relationship drew skepticism, with many fans believing Roca might be catfishing him.
Despite the doubts, the pair met in person in Peru and ultimately proved the critics wrong. The first in-person meeting was awkward, especially when Rathbun learned that Mahogany had told him she was 24, but was actually 22.
They eventually became engaged during another trip to Peru. In a YouTube video from 2022, Rathbun documented the proposal at the same restaurant where they first met.
“I just asked her to be my wife and she said…,” he said in the clip, with Mahogany adding, “Yes”.
In February 2024, the couple revealed during an episode of 90 Day Diaries that they had officially gotten married a few months earlier. The two had reportedly kept their relationship mostly private and stepped away from the public eye, deleting their social media accounts after the show.
Outside of reality TV, Rathbun previously worked as the executive director of the Michigan Lupus Foundation.
However, he lost that position in 2022 following a DUI arrest, during which he was also found to be driving with an expired license. He later pleaded guilty and was sentenced in early 2021, the daily mail reported.
A bench warrant was issued for his arrest in March 2022 after he missed a court hearing. Rathbun explained he didn’t receive the notice due to a change in address, though he acknowledged it was his responsibility to keep his contact information current.
At the time, he said the experience would “serve to humble me and allow greater growth in me as a person,” and noted he had since found another service-oriented job.
Rathbun is the latest 90 Day Fiancé alum to pass away. David Murphey from Before the 90 Days Season 4 died in December 2024 due to health issues, and Jason Hitch from Season 2 died in 2021 from COVID-related complications.
Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this time.
