The Tragic Story Of James 'LB' Bonner From My 600-Lb Life

On August 3, 2018, TMZ reported that James "LB" Bonner's body was found in a park in Lexington, South Carolina. An officer was reportedly called to LB's home by "someone concerned for LB's welfare," per People. On August 8, 2018, TMZ reported that the coroner's report ruled LB's death a suicide. 

After his death, his family sued Megalomedia, the production company behind "My 600-Lb Life," according to Starcasm. Per the outlet, LB's family argued that the show placed him under severe "mental and physical distress," and failed to provide him with sufficient mental health care. The family reportedly provided text evidence to authorities of LB's exchange with one of the show's staff members. When LB wrote, "I'm not in a good place right now it's dark," the staff member allegedly replied, "Fake it till you make it." The lawsuit also claimed that the show's extreme conditions caused LB to lose some of his teeth and impaired his vision. 

LB's family is not the only one to sue the production company, either. Starcasm reports that within three months of LB's family's lawsuit, nine other former cast members filed suit, all with stories similar to LB's. One former cast member, Gina Krasley, alleged she was forced to "eat excessive amounts of food onscreen" so it looked like she couldn't stick to the diet, and that producers purposely caused her distress for entertainment value, reports the New York Post.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7r7XCpKCsr5mbwW%2BvzqZmcGpjaYB0e9OhnGasopa0qq%2BMrKuoqqlivKd5yZqknqtdoa9urs6npZ6qXZu%2FsLmMprBmbmBleq2ujKWgn51f