James Bonner walked into Season 6 of My 600-lb Life and left a mark that viewers still remember today. He didn’t shroud his struggles with addiction or the painful experiences from his past, and people connected with him right away.
James worked hard to alter his life, and many people cheered him on. Sadly, his journey didn’t have the happy ending everyone hoped for. His story illustrates both the power of striving to improve and the genuine dangers associated with severe health issues.
Let’s look at what happened to James, from his most significant challenges to his last days.
What Happened to James Bonner?
James Bonner died in August 2018 at the age of 30. Deputies from the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department found his body while doing a welfare check. They discovered him in a ditch near his house in South Carolina.
He had died from a gunshot wound that he had caused himself. Right before his demise, he shared a final post on Facebook. He used this message to thank people who had helped him and discussed the difficult times he was going through.
James wrote that he needed to confront his problems. He also asked others to tell the people in their lives how much they meant to them. Law enforcement and TLC both verified his death shortly afterward.
James Bonner’s Journey in My 600-lb Life
James experienced a traumatic event in his life in 2013 when he was in a car crash. The incident resulted in him losing his right leg.
In the wake of this tragic incident, he began substituting food and alcohol to feel better about his pain. He continued to gain weight, eventually reaching a weight of 650 pounds.
James chose to appear on My 600-lb Life because he desired a different life. Dr. Nowzaradan stepped in to assist him on his journey.
He stopped drinking alcohol altogether and had lap-band surgery to help with his weight loss. He worked very hard and obeyed the doctor’s rules. His efforts were successful; he lost more than 400 pounds and ultimately reached a weight of approximately 200 pounds.
James posted updates about how he was doing and talked honestly about both his good days and bad days. He wanted to help other people who had similar difficulties.
Challenges After the Show
James changed his body completely, yet his mind continued suffering in private. Losing his leg in the accident left emotional wounds that never healed properly.
Years of fighting addiction and depression had created problems that went much deeper than his weight. Even after dropping hundreds of pounds, these issues remained just as strong as before.
He continued to communicate with his fans through social media posts about his daily struggles. He often shared details about the fights happening inside his head and his attempts to feel better emotionally.
During his last weeks alive, he began dropping hints that his mental state was falling apart quickly. His final posts online showed someone experiencing terrible pain on the inside.
Although he appeared successful and healthy to everyone watching, he was still carrying all the distress from everything that had happened to him over the years.
Personal and Family Life
Born on November 19, 1987, James grew up in a loving household. His parents, Buddy and Karen Bonner, raised him well. He had three sisters – Angela, Tera, and Jessie – who stayed close to him throughout his life.
While filming the show, he was in a long-term relationship with his girlfriend Destiny Honeycutt. Years later, after James perished, Destiny moved on with her life, got married, and started a family.
James never gave up, even when things got tough. He was always kind to people and supported them when they needed it. The way he opened up about his struggles, people who watched him on TV felt like they knew him.
They genuinely cared about him and took pride in seeing his weight loss transformation. TLC also released a statement noting his woeful death and also praised him for being brave enough to show his real life to everyone.
