James “L.B.” Bonner, a reality star who appeared on the Lifetime series My 600-LB Life, was found dead on Thursday morning.
He was 31 years old.
According to Radar Online, police in Lexington, South Carolina responded to a call from Bonner’s home at 7:45am yesterday…
… but that’s all that has been reported to date regarding what happened with Bonner.
Two of the former reality star’s friends, however, Stephanie Garbinsky and Shaylee Gantt, have confirmed that L.B. is no longer with us.
“He passed away,” one of them told Radar, adding that many people close to Bonner are saying on Facebook that he “took his own life.”
We would like to stress, however, that we cannot confirm this at the moment.
Added another acquaintance:
“Haven’t heard exactly what happened, but I keep seeing people say something about depression is real.
And I know his dad has been sick recently also. My husband has known him since he was a little boy.
“This is so sad and so unexpected. I thought he was doing really well with his new job and girlfriend. Not to mention his weight loss and upcoming surgery.”
Bonner lost his leg in a car accident in 2013, eventually turning to to food and alcohol for comfort and at one point reaching 650 pounds.
But through diet and exercise and lap band surgery, he dropped down to close to 200 pounds of late and was also firmly on the wagon.
Loved ones have said Bonner was sober at the time he died.
L.B. was also known for starting each day by sharing an inspirational or motivational quote on Facebook.
This is what he wrote on July 31:
Contrast that message with the one he posted on this same account the morning of his death.
We’ve shared it below.
Does this confirm reports of suicide? No.
But it sheds some light on what Bonner may have been thinking or going through on Thursday:
UPDATE: Someone on Facebook has now posted the following:
Hi, I’m LB’s sister Angela. It is true, LB has taken his life.
We are all shocked at the moment and trying to figure this out. LB was adored by many people and I would like to thank all of you for supporting him through this journey.
Elsewhere today, LB’s friend and fellow My 600-Lb Life participant Doug Armstrong just changed his Facebook profile picture to one of the two men together earlier this year.
This could also be taken as a strong sign that Bonner is dead.
How sad and awful.
We send our condolences to Bonner’s friends, family members and loved ones.
May he rest in peace.
If you or someone you know is in an emotional distress or suicidal, please call the Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).