YouTuber Billy LeBlanc has opened up about when he found out his girlfriend had passed away after they consumed a potentially deadly meal.
The popular YouTuber took to social media on 14 July to announce the passing of his partner Natalie Clark and he's since spoken out about the moment he found out about her death himself.
Billy announced Natalie's passing in a post to Instagram on 14 July, sharing several photos of him and his partner.
He said: "I’m sure none of you know but I recently almost died. I was in the hospital for 12 days.
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"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."
And the YouTuber has since released a follow-up post.
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In a video shared on 17 July, he confirmed Natalie had indeed passed away and clarified it was not a publicity stunt to get people to 'follow' him.
He explained the pair 'both ate oysters' and ended up falling sick 'for a couple of days'.
"And then I woke up and she was gone," he continued. "So, I spend 12 days in the hospital and eight days in ICU. I don't remember much of it, I was out of it most of the time."
Billy resolved: "I don't know what to say, I'm trying to figure my life out and what's next to me. Thank you for all your love and support.
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"And to all the people that have messaged me on my phone and on social media, I'm sorry that I'm not getting back to you, I'm just in a mourning phase right now and I'm just trying to figure things out, that's about it, thank you for your love and support."
In a comment on his first post announcing the news, Billy told followers the pair 'both got vibrio vulnificus from raw oysters'.
According to the Cleveland Clinic: "Vibrio vulnificus is a type of bacteria that can cause a fatal infection. You get it from eating uncooked or undercooked shellfish or when seawater enters a wound."
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It explains the symptoms can come on 'quickly' and notes Vibrio vulnificus can indeed prove 'fatal' if left untreated.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact The Compassionate Friends on (877) 969-0010.
Topics: Celebrity, Food and Drink, YouTube, Social Media, Mental Health
Poppy Bilderbeck