Rest In Power: Notable Black Folks Who We’ve Lost In 2025

Source: Reach Media / Urban One

UPDATED: 12:00 am EST May 20th, 2025

As we’ve come to understand year after year, day after day even, death is unfortunately an inevitable part of life. Still, as much of a fact as that may be, the blow of experiencing loss never gets any easier, nor does reporting on the subject in Black culture.

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Latonya Pottain, known for her appearance on Season 11 of TLC’s reality series “My 600-Lb. Life,” passed away on May 17, 2025, at the age of 40. She died at Christus Highland Medical Center in Shreveport, Louisiana. According to the Natchitoches Parish Coroner’s Office, her preliminary cause of death was acute on chronic congestive heart failure, with her passing being ruled natural. A final autopsy report is still pending.

Latonya’s story resonated with many viewers as she shared her battle with obesity and the emotional hardships that contributed to her struggles. She revealed during her time on the show that she had turned to food for comfort following the loss of her mother and her father’s departure from the family. At the start of the show, she weighed 531 pounds and worked hard to lose weight, dropping to 505 pounds. However, after the show aired, Latonya faced overwhelming online backlash, which led to depression and fears about undergoing weight loss surgery.

Her later years were marked by serious health challenges. By 2024, she became bedridden due to severe issues, including sciatica nerve pain and complications from her weight. Despite facing immense difficulties, she sought help through fundraising, expressing her desire to fight for her health and life.

SOURCE | NBC News

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Learn more below about who in our culture has passed away so far this year in 2025 Below