YouTuber Billy LeBlanc has revealed that he has fulfilled one of his late partner's wishes - months after he woke up in the hospital to learn she had tragically died.

Over the summer, 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.

The social media star - who boasts hundreds of thousands of followers on YouTuber - informed his fans of the moment he learned Clark had died.

"I’m sure none of you know but I recently almost died. I was in the hospital for 12 days," wrote in a heartbreaking post. "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."

In a further comment, the grieving boyfriend explained: "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.

Now, roughly four months after Clark's death, LeBlanc has revealed that he has fulfilled one of her wishes for him.

In a video post shared to YouTube, LeBlanc revealed that he had finally launched a podcast - something that he says Natalie had always wanted for him.

"One of the things that Natalie always wanted me to do... was to do a podcast," he explained.

Elsewhere in the video, LeBlanc answered a list of questions that he'd unearthed in an old notebook of Natalie's.

Questions included: "What made you attracted to me?' and 'Why don't you make YouTube videos consistently?"

In response to the video, LeBlanc's fans flooded him with comments of support. "Proud of you! Pushing through. God’s got you and all these people who love you," one person wrote.

"Hoping you continue to heal Billy and hope you continue posting might be therapeutic and we are all here for your and love you," another added.

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.

Her 17-year-old son, Julian Clark, an aspiring actor, also creates content for his own YouTube channel.

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.

LeBlanc originally found social media stardom as a key figure in the Bratayleys, a well-known YouTube family that captured the hearts of many with their lively homelife videos. Their channel featured his ex-wife Katie LeBlanc and their children, Annie, Hayley, and Caleb, sharing snippets of their everyday adventures.

Following his split with Katie, he launched his own channel, Just Billy LeBlanc. He currently boasts 209,000 subscribers on the platform.

Our thoughts continue to go out to Clark's family and loved ones at this time.

Featured image credit:  justbillyleblanc/Instagram

Billy LeBlanc - a famed YouTuber who woke up in the hospital and found out his partner was dead - has shared a positive update on his life.

The 44-year-old creator, known for his Just Billy LeBlanc channel and his family’s Bratayley channel, took to Instagram in July 2024 to reveal the devastating news to his followers.

In his post, LeBlanc shared a series of photos of himself and Natalie, writing: “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 shared: “We both got vibrio vulnificus from raw oysters.”

Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium found in warm seawater and brackish waters, posing significant health risks through the consumption of raw or undercooked seafood, particularly oysters.

According to the CDC, infections can lead to gastroenteritis with symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, and in severe cases, can cause skin lesions, high fever, and even death.

PEOPLE reports that around 20% of cases can be fatal.

LeBlanc shared a video with his followers revealing more about the illness and the tragic moment he found Natalie had died.

“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, addressing critics who questioned the post.

He explained: “We ate oysters and we both felt sick for a couple of days. And then I woke up and she was gone.”

LeBlanc continued: “So, I spent 12 days in the hospital and eight 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.”

He ended the video by thanking fans for their kindness, and “love and support”.

Billy’s mother, Yvette Berthelot LeBlanc, also shared the family’s pain online, writing: “Natalie lost her life and Billy was very close to death in the ICU for 8 days. Please continue to pray for Natalie’s son Julian, for her family, and for Billy, both for his health and his heart.”

Natalie had been introduced to LeBlanc’s fanbase in 2020, regularly appearing in his videos and posts. She leaves behind her 17-year-old son, Julian Clark, an aspiring actor and content creator on YouTube.

One year on, and Billy appears to have refound some happiness and has taken to social media to give his followers a positive update.

"I just wanted to give a little update. I’ve lost a bunch of weight. I feel good, I feel healthy. Thanks for all your messages of encouragement," he wrote.

Billy later launched Just Billy LeBlanc, which now has over 208,000 subscribers, where he continued sharing family moments and his life with Natalie.

Featured image credit: Billy LeBlanc / Instagram

In a tragedy that has rippled across the Galveston community and raised concerns about food safety, a man in his 30s has died from a bacterial infection after consuming raw oysters at a local restaurant.

Local health authorities are conducting a meticulous investigation to ascertain the source of the fatal infection. The man, whose identity along with the name of the restaurant remain undisclosed, had underlying health conditions that exacerbated his vulnerability to the deadly bacteria known as Vibrio Vulnificus.

Dr. Philip Keiser from the Galveston County Local Health Authority shed light on the tragic case, stating via Fox26, "He had problems with his liver. He also had some other problems, and he had to take some medication that suppressed his immune system. It just so happens that the conditions that he had really predisposed him to an overwhelming infection with Vibrio Vulnificus."

The man visited the island restaurant on Tuesday, August 29, and was subsequently hospitalized two days later. His death over Labor Day weekend has ignited conversations about the safety of consuming raw seafood, particularly oysters, under certain health conditions. Authorities are focusing on identifying the batch of oysters and the conditions under which they were harvested.

"We've actually gone to the restaurant where he was eating, and we pulled the oysters from the shelf. There are tags to them, so we can identify the lots, and the state is actually analyzing them to see if we can find the bug in a particular lot of oysters," Keiser revealed.

In a wake-up call to seafood lovers and swimmers, health authorities are cautioning that the bacterium is particularly potent this season due to extreme heat and unusually warm coastal waters.

Adding weight to the warnings, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an advisory on September 1, urging people to abstain from swimming in coastal waters if they have an open wound and to exercise heightened caution when eating raw seafood.

The symptoms of Vibrio Vulnificus infection can include nausea, vomiting, and a rapidly-spreading rash. Authorities are urging anyone who experiences these symptoms after consuming raw seafood or after exposure to coastal waters to seek medical attention immediately.

This tragic incident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers that can accompany the joys of indulging in one of the ocean's delicacies.

The unfolding story sheds light on the necessity of public awareness, timely medical intervention, and rigorous food safety protocols.

As health officials continue their in-depth investigation, this case stands as an urgent call to action for both individuals and establishments to prioritize safety in every bite and every dip in the sea.

Featured image credit: NurPhoto / Getty

A famous social media star known as @Waffler69 has passed away from a suspected heart attack at the age of 33.

The death of the TikTok influencer, whose real name was Taylor LeJeune, was announced by his brother Clayton through a video posted to the platform on January 12.

The sibling disclosed that the online star died "from a presumed heart attack," at around 10:00 PM on January 11 after he was rushed to a Louisiana hospital.

Speaking to TMZ about his devastating loss, Clayton revealed that the TikToker has been suffering from some discomfort for a while, and contacted his mum before calling the ambulance. He also added that Taylor's dad and grandfather both suffered from genetic heart problems.

The social media star started making videos in the mid-2000s under the name Waffler69 on YouTube. He later took his market to other apps such as Instagram, but it didn’t really blow up until he launched a TikTok page.

He had a whopping 1.8 million followers on the platform at the time of his death announcement and was known for eating strange foods such as canned cheeseburgers and a range of expired foods.

Every time a fast food company ran a humorous promotion - such as McDonald's with the Land, Air, and Sea combo - Taylor was always ready to make video content with it.

His most popular video on the platform is him eating a promotional cereal for the 1989 Batman film directed by Tim Burton - with the stomach-turning clip racking up 5.5 million views.

His last upload came on January 11 - the day of his death - when he videoed himself eating a huge piece of Fruit Loops cereal dipped in milk. Under the video, many of his followers began to share their tributes to the online star.

One user wrote: "I’m devastated. This was a good guy. A damn good guy. Rest up bro."

Another user said: "You were so full of love and fun. We will all miss you."

A third commented: "I’m so glad you shared your joyful energy with us. you will be missed by me and so many. Rest easy."

A fourth shared: "I’m so sad rn crying at work. RIP @wafffler69 your spirit and energy was unmatched and you will be severely missed."

Clayton had one more request for fans mourning his brother's death and said: "Please keep his legacy alive, watch his content that he does have out. He loved making people happy."

He has also set up a GoFundMe to help his mother and their family pay for funeral and medical expenses.

Our thoughts go out to Taylor's family, friends, and followers at this difficult time.

Featured image credit: Siraj Ahmad / Alamy