Destinee Lashaee, who made history on the TLC reality show “My 600-Lb. Life” as the first transgender star, passed away in 2022 at the age of 30. Her death was confirmed by her brother Wayne Compton, who shared an emotional post on Facebook. Although the cause of death has not been explicitly stated, several of her friends have said in their posts that she killed herself amid a struggle with her mental health.
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A Difficult Childhood and a Weight Problem
Destinee Lashaee was born as Matthew Ventress to a teenage mom in Louisiana. She was placed in foster care as a child and weighed around 150 pounds by the age of 9. By the time she was 15, she weighed 350 lbs, according to The Daily Mail. She also experienced an emotionally traumatic childhood as she grappled with her own gender and sexual identities. At the age of 18, she came out as gay to her family members, many of whom shamed her.
Destinee’s weight and mental health problems worsened over the years, especially after her brother died from complications from a minor surgical procedure. She attempted suicide right before signing up for “My 600-Lb. Life”, where she weighed just shy of 700 lbs. She told viewers that she loved her curves but knew she needed to lose weight so that she could “be approved to transition completely”, according to IMDb.
A Remarkable Transformation and a Lawsuit
On the show, Destinee Lashaee underwent gastric bypass surgery and lost over 500 lbs during and after the show. She became a rising social media star and an inspiration for fans who admired her courage and determination. She also started hormone therapy and changed her name to Destinee Lashaee.
However, her experience on the show was not entirely positive. In 2020, she sued the show’s production company, alleging that their treatment of her during filming made her suicidal. She claimed that the producers had “taken advantage” of her and focused “only on ratings” even when she was dealing with emotional distress from her brother’s death, according to The Sun.
A Tragic End and a Legacy
Destinee Lashaee continued to battle depression and suicidal thoughts after the show. She posted several messages on a Facebook account under her late sister Destiny Compton’s name, expressing her pain and loneliness. She also thanked her fans for their love and support and urged them to keep fighting for their dreams.
On February 9, 2022, Destinee Lashaee was found dead in her home. Her brother Wayne Compton announced the news on Facebook, saying that he was sorry he couldn’t save her and that he accepted her for who she was. He also posted a collection of photos of them together, along with their other sibling Destiny, who had died a year earlier.
Destinee Lashaee’s death has saddened many people who followed her journey on “My 600-Lb. Life” and beyond. She was a trailblazer who broke barriers and stereotypes as the first trans star of the show. She was also a fighter who overcame many challenges and obstacles in her life. She will be remembered for her strength, beauty, and spirit.
