Ben Rathbun of 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Day has died at the age of 55.
The Instagram account @shabootydotcom was the first to break the news of Ben’s death on Monday. TMZ has since revealed that Ben– who appeared on Season 5 of “90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days”– passed away early Monday morning at his home in Greencastle, Indiana, surrounded by family.
According to the outlet, Ben had Stage 4 stomach cancer and had been battling the disease since the end of last year when he was reportedly diagnosed.
Fans of the “90 Day Fiance” franchise may remember the father of four appearing on the show back in 2021 with his girlfriend, Mahogany Roca, of San Bartolo, Peru.
Ben was introduced to viewers as a divorced former pastor who had been homeless for a period of time before going on to find work as a model. While appearing in a fitness magazine, Ben caught the eye of then 24-year-old Mahogany, who reached out to him via DM. From there, Ben and Mahogany began a texting relationship while bonding over similar religious views and making plans to meet in person, despite having never video-chatted with each other.
While some of Ben’s friends and family were initially concerned about his relationship, Ben said on the show that he believed God had brought him Mahogany and that they were meant to be together. Many viewers also predicted at the beginning of Season 5 that Mahogany was catfishing Ben; however, the two ultimately met face-to-face.
Ben and Mahogany appeared to have tied the knot after appearing on the TLC series and Mahogany was reportedly by Ben’s side when he passed away on Monday.
On Tuesday, Mahogany posted a tribute to her late husband on an unverified Instagram account.
“I love you more than anyone, I love you forever and ever and ever,” she captioned a series of photos of Ben. “I’m crying writing this but I still don’t know how tell Internet about his privacy life and my privacy life. Guys he was a saint, he was a real Christian before he pass, he made peace [with] life and Go[d] and everyone, he was a peace maker, a child of God, he love[d] life, he love[d] love life, an angel in real person, in not lying.”
Mahogany also asked fans to be respectful in their comments about Ben.
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“No one can’t talk bad, Anymore! He was and is INNOCENT OF EVERYTHING,” she wrote. “This is my true I’m not talking for the law. Just for me, HE IS AN INNOCENT PERSON! Please, for my peace! No more speculation about his life. Was perfect, it doesn’t matter his past. His present was a real child of God.”
“90 Day Fiance” franchise cast members paid their respect to Ben in the comment section of the Instagram post from @Shabootydotcom that broke the news.
“This is so so sad. My heart breaks for his kids and family,” wrote Kimberly Menzies.
“This is so sad to see him or anyone die from cancer,” wrote Mike Berk. “Prayers to him and his family and Mahogany.”
Ben is the second former “90 Day Fiance” cast member to pass away in recent months. As The Ashley told you in December, David Murphey of “90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days” Season 4 passed away December 11 “after experiencing health issues over the last several years.” He was 66 years old.
RELATED STORY: TLC Announces (Another) “90 Day Fiance” Spinoff, “90 Day: Hunt for Love”: Meet the Cast & Watch the First Trailer
(Photos: TLC; Instagram)
9 Responses
I’m so sorry. I will keep you in my prayers.
Saying she was by his side is not something a person should lie about…what is wrong with that girl…
According to a family member of Ben’s who was with him at the time of his death, Mahogany was NOT by his side. She was living back in her native country and was notified by phone of Ben’s passing.
Also….. Why does she go on about, in capitol letters, him being ‘innocent of everything’ and an innocent person. Seems very weird.
Mahogany will be on the next series of 90 day Single life.
Tim is probably still available?
Stories like this hit so much harder since I’ve been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. I’m only 33 and I have 2 small kids. RIP Ben. Cancer sucks.
55 is too young. My heart breaks for his kids. Losing my Dad was devastating.
Yes 55 is far to young and I like you lost my Dad young (52). Hard to keep going though we all experience this kind of heartbreak eventually. My condolences.