LaTonya Pottain, who appeared on season 11 of the TLC reality series My 600-lb Life, has died at the age of 40.
Pottain died on Saturday, May 17, at CHRISTUS Highland Medical Center in Shreveport, Louisiana, a spokesperson for the Natchitoches Parish Coroner’s Office shared, per PEOPLE.
A preliminary autopsy revealed that she died from congestive heart failure. A final autopsy is still pending.
Her brother told TMZ that earlier that day, family members had visited her at home and noticed she was having difficulty breathing and was “extremely uncomfortable.” Later, Pottain went into cardiac arrest and called for an ambulance.
Pottain became widely known through her emotionally raw appearance on My 600-lb Life, where she documented her battle with extreme obesity and its devastating effects on her health.
When she first appeared on the show, she weighed 482 pounds. Five years later, her weight had climbed to 631 pounds.
Pottain regularly saw Dr. Younan Nowzaradan – known as Dr. Now – but was unable to maintain the weight-loss regimen he prescribed.
“When I eat, it takes the stress away,” she admitted in one episode. “That’s what I do to help me cope with things,” per the independent . “I know the food is unhealthy and not good for me. But with the habit that I have for long, it’s hard to change it. I’m disappointed in myself for getting to this place.”
Her only weight loss during filming occurred after she was hospitalized for heart-related issues.
After leaving the show, Pottain continued to share her journey on TikTok and Facebook.
In February, she created a GoFunDme, revealing that she weighed about 705 pounds and had been bedridden since June 2024 due to severe health complications.
“I currently weigh about 705 pounds and have been bedridden since June 2024 due to severe health issues,” she wrote. “In 2022, I was featured on My 600-lb Life, where I started at 531 pounds and worked hard to get down to 505 pounds. However, after the show aired, I experienced overwhelming backlash, which sent me into a deep depression. My mental health suffered, and I became fearful of undergoing weight loss surgery.”
She also detailed the physical toll of her condition, saying, “Now, I am completely bedridden and unable to get to the hospital because EMTs say transporting me would be a fire hazard due to my weight.” She added, “This has been an incredibly difficult journey, and I truly want to fight for my health and my life.”
Pottain cited sciatica as another debilitating issue, describing the intense pain in her lower back and legs caused by pressure on her sciatic nerve.
And just a year ago, she posted a heartfelt plea to Facebook: “Y’all pray for me my heart not working right, and there is nothing more the doctors can do here in Louisiana. Please keep me lifted,” per the independent.
ans have paid tribute to the 40-year-old on social media following the announcement of her death.
One wrote : “RIP to Latonya Pottain, 40, who appeared on TLC’s 600lb Life. Latonya was still working on her weight loss journey, sharing her story on tt. Prayers to her family & friends.”
An obituary posted by the Winnfield Memorial Funeral home reads: “Please join us in prayer for this dear family as they complete final care arrangements for their deceased loved one.”
Our thoughts are with Pottain’s loved ones at this time.
