The Tragic Death Of Kelly Mason From My 600-Lb Life

TLC's My 600-Lb Life chronicles the journey of various patients seeking professional assistance as they try to lose weight under the guidance of Dr. Younan Nowzaradan or, more familiarly dubbed, "Dr. Now." There have been some dramatic transformations on the reality show worth celebrating, but there have also been many tragedies. One familiar TLC face, Coliesa McMillian, passed away on Sept. 21, 2020. Sean Milliken also tragically died at age 29. There are others who made it, but their lives, especially their childhoods, are filled with tragedy. Sarah Neeley comes to mind, as does James King.

One specifically tragic story involves Kelly Mason, who journeyed to Houston to seek out Dr. Now's advice. Unfortunately, once she arrived, it became apparent that Mason was struggling with a series of health problems, including diabetes, a thyroid problem, arthritis, high blood pressure, a blood clot, and a pulmonary embolism. Not only that, but Mason had recently been hospitalized for congestive heart failure, according to Distractify. With this as her health backdrop, Mason's story on My 600-Lb Life took a tragic turn. Keep reading.

Kelly Mason's story on My 600-Lb Life was so tragic because she tried so hard. According to Inquisitr, audiences of the TLC show watched her lose 300 pounds. Mason lost the first 100 pounds after Dr. Younan Nowzaradan admitted her to the hospital, according to Distractify, which ensured her approval for surgery. Thanks to that and Mason's own determination, she was on track. "It feels like the first day of a new life, actually," Mason said on TLC when being discharged from the hospital (via Distractify). "My plan is to stick to the diet, do physical therapy, occupational therapy, to walk in the neighborhood. To do what Dr. Now expects me to do. But with my heart not functioning the way it's supposed to, this breath could be my last breath. But I don't want to die," she explained.

But tragedy struck. Mason passed away in her sleep from cardiac arrest on Feb. 15, 2019, according to Inquisitr.

Dr. Now, who was usually stoic on the reality show, was deeply saddened by Mason's passing. But he explained that her death wasn't caused by any backtracking on her part. "At Kelly's last appointment with me a few weeks ago, her weight loss was on track, so this is not a result of her going back to her old habits," Dr. Now said (via Distractify). "She was working hard and doing what she needed but despite that, the damage to her heart up to this point was just too severe."