Billy LeBlanc - a famed YouTuber who has amassed hundreds of thousands of followers - has opened up about the moment he'd learned his girlfriend had died.
On Sunday (July 14), 44-year-old LeBlanc took to Instagram to share the devastating news that his partner, Natalie Clark, had died after they both became seriously ill after eating raw oysters.
In that post, LeBlanc shared several photos of him and Clark, writing in the caption: "I’m sure none of you know but I recently almost died. I was in the hospital for 12 days.
"Unfortunately Natalie didn’t make it and she passed away. I will always remember how we got lost everywhere together. I will always love her and miss her. Be safe and hold your loved ones tight you, never know when it’ll be the last time you see them."
Adding a further comment, he wrote: "We both got vibrio vulnificus from raw oysters."
Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium commonly found in warm seawater and brackish waters near river estuaries. It poses a significant health risk to humans primarily through the consumption of raw or undercooked seafood, especially oysters.
The bacterium can also enter the body through open wounds when exposed to contaminated water.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Vibrio vulnificus infections can cause gastroenteritis (with symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain) in healthy individuals.
Cases with more severe infections can result in a high fever, chills, skin lesions, and can progress rapidly, potentially leading to limb amputations or even death. Approximately 20% of cases can be fatal, PEOPLE reports.
On Tuesday, LeBlanc shared a video in which he revealed more heartbreaking details about their illness and the moment he learned Natalie had died.
Sadly, LeBlanc started the video by hitting back at any naysayers claiming that his first post was some sort of social media stunt. "So, yes. Natalie did pass away. It is not some kind of way to get somebody to follow me or anything like that," he said.
"We ate oysters and we both felt sick for a couple of days," LeBlanc continued. "And then I woke up and she was gone."
He continued: "So, I spent 12 days in the hospital and 8 days in ICU, actually. I don't remember much of it... I was pretty much out of it most of the time.
"And... I don't know what to say. I'm trying to figure my life out now."
LeBlanc concluded the video by thanking his followers and loved ones for their "love and support".
The YouTube star's mom, Yvette Berthelot LeBlanc, also took to social media to comment on the family’s anguish, describing the past weeks as exceptionally challenging for their entire family.
"Natalie lost her life and Billy was very close to death in the ICU for 8 days," she wrote."Please continue to pray for Natalie’s son Julian, for her family, and for Billy, both for his health and his heart."
Prior to her tragic death, Natalie was introduced to LeBlanc’s online fanbase back in 2020, as she started appearing in his videos and posts as his girlfriend.
She leaves behind her 17-year-old son, Julian Clark, an aspiring actor who, like his mother, was actively involved in creating content on his own YouTube channel.
This devastating loss adds to the challenges LeBlanc and his family have faced in recent years. In October 2015, they mourned the passing of Caleb - LeBlanc’s son from a previous relationship - who died at the age of 13 from natural causes.
Despite these tragedies, the Bratayleys channel continued to resonate with viewers for its candid portrayal of family life until 2019 when LeBlanc and his ex-wife, Katie LeBlanc, ended their marriage. As of this writing, it has amassed over 7.7 million subscribers.
Subsequently, LeBlanc launched his own channel, Just Billy LeBlanc, where he continued to document his life with his children and introduced Natalie Clark to his audience. The channel currently has over 208,000 subscribers.
Our thoughts continue to go out to Natalie's family, friends, and fans right now.