My 600-Lb. Life star Latonya Pottain died suddenly in May 2025 at just 40 years old. She appeared on season 11 of the TLC weight loss series, where she openly shared her struggles with mental health and overeating. Fans rooted for her as she worked toward a healthier lifestyle, motivated by love for her fiancé and their future family. Now, viewers are heartbroken and curious about the cause of her death and what may have led to the reality star’s tragic death.

How Did My 600-Lb. Life’s Latonya Pottain Die?

Latonya died on May 17, 2025, at Christus Highland Hospital in Shreveport, Louisiana. The Natchitoches Parish Coroner’s Office exclusively confirmed to In Touch that Latonya was a patient at a medical rehabilitation facility, where she experienced a “medical event.”

The reality TV personality was transported by emergency medical services to the Louisiana medical center, where she was pronounced dead at 10:29 p.m. The Natchitoches Parish Coroner’s Office said they “extended its deepest condolences to the family and requests respect and privacy during this difficult time” in a statement obtained exclusively by In Touch.

TMZ was the first to report the news that she died of natural causes. At the time, the coroner told the outlet that the preliminary autopsy found that Latonya died from congestive heart failure, while a final autopsy is still pending. In addition, her brother commented that several family members visited Latonya on the morning of her death and noticed she was having “trouble breathing.” Her sibling also noted that Latonya seemed “extremely uncomfortable” and “didn’t look well.”

Latonya’s brother explained that later that day, the family got a phone call from a nurse, who told them Latonya was being transported to the hospital because she was going into cardiac arrest.

Latonya Pottain Asked for Help With Her Medical Issues

In February 2025, Latonya launched a GoFundMe campaign, reaching out to friends and supporters for help covering medical expenses.

“I’m currently getting close to my highest weight of 740 pounds and I worked extremely hard to get it down,” the description stated. “Now I currently weigh about 705 pounds and have been bedridden since June 2024 due to severe health issues.”

She revealed that after appearing on My 600-Lb. Life in 2022, she moved to Houston, Texas, the following year and she found herself in an abusive relationship, which further complicated her health journey.

“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 wrote. “Unfortunately, my health continued to decline, and I developed severe sciatica nerve pain, which caused extreme stomach cramps. I was prescribed fentanyl, but my body rejected the medication, leading me to begin therapy.”

Latonya explained that she was “completely bedridden” and unable to be transported by EMTs due to her being “a fire hazard due to her weight.”

“Without the ability to work, I have no income to purchase a car or arrange for special medical transportation,” she signed off. “This has been an incredibly difficult journey, and I truly want to fight for my health and my life. Any amount you can contribute will bring me one step closer to the care I desperately need.”

There is $1,155 raised out of a $20,000 goal as of publication.

Latonya Pottain Appeared on Season 11 of ‘My 600-Lb. Life’

Latonya was first introduced to fans on season 11 of My 600-Lb. Life in 2023. She started her journey at 531 pounds and fans watched as she worked hard to get down to 505 pounds.