View gallery
Tammy Slaton skilled tragedy when her husband, Caleb Willingham, died on the age of 40 on June 30. The couple met at a weight reduction rehab heart, and their relationship has been documented on the TLC sequence 1000-Lb Sisters. Shortly after his dying, Tammy launched a press release after her husband’s passing and mentioned she was “devastated” over his dying.
Caleb has been featured within the newest season of the present, which premiered on TLC on December 12, 2023. Within the December 26 episode, Caleb scheduled a gathering with Dr. Smith, Tammy’s physician. “It’s been 2 weeks since Tammy left rehab, and I can’t let you know how a lot I miss my spouse,” Caleb mentioned. “After all, me being the emotional eater that I’m, my weight-reduction plan has gone to hell.”
At his weigh-in, Caleb weighed 537 kilos. Dr. Smith informed Caleb that he didn’t wish to do the load loss surgical procedure till Caleb acquired all the way down to 500 kilos. Nonetheless, Dr. Smith warned Caleb that he must return to rehab after the surgical procedure. Preserve studying to find out about Caleb, his relationship with Tammy, and his tragic dying.
What Occurred to Caleb Willingham?
Caleb died from unknown causes on June 30, 2023. Tammy confirmed her husband’s passing in a heartbreaking assertion to PEOPLE.
“I’m devastated to share the information of my husband’s passing,” the truth star mentioned on July 1. “He was my finest good friend and I beloved him dearly. Once I met Caleb he grew to become my guardian angel and now he actually is watching over me. Our households recognize everybody’s sympathy and ask that you simply respect our privateness at the moment.”
TLC additionally addressed Caleb’s dying in a press release. “We’re deeply saddened to study of Caleb Willingham’s passing. Our condolences exit to Tammy, his household and associates at this tough time,” the community mentioned.
Tammy Shared How She Discovered Out About His Demise
Tammy recalled the second she discovered about Caleb’s dying in an interview with PEOPLE. “I acquired a textual content message from his good friend up there and the textual content mentioned, ‘Caleb’s not doing good. They’re in there engaged on him.’ 20 minutes later he texted me again and mentioned he was gone,” she mentioned.
Since his passing, Tammy revealed that he had his ashes made into jewellery, and she or he feels nearer to him by sporting it. “Understanding that he’s with me, it’s serving to me move the day. I discover myself grabbing my necklace and holding it loads. Once I take off my jewellery, I really feel prefer it’s bizarre, separation anxiousness. I begin panicking,” she informed the outlet.
What Was Caleb Willingham’s Job?
It’s unclear what Caleb did for work. Earlier than the fifth season, he appeared on just one episode of 1000-Lb Sisters. The episode aired in March 2023 and documented his and Tammy’s marriage ceremony that happened in November 2022.
How Lengthy Have been Caleb Willingham and Tammy Slaton Married?
After assembly on the Windsor Lane Rehabilitation Middle in 2022, Tammy and Caleb acquired engaged in October and had been married by November. They mentioned “I do” on the similar rehab heart in Gibsonburg, Ohio the place they met.
“Once I noticed Caleb on the altar, I used to be simply picturing doves and butterflies throughout like God had opened up the clouds and let the daylight in,” Tammy informed Individuals on the time. “It was magical. Our marriage ceremony day was good, there was a lot love within the room. I actually married my finest good friend.”
After 5 months of marriage, The Solar reported that Tammy was within the technique of submitting for divorce from Caleb. Allegedly, the couple broke up due to Caleb’s weight achieve, whereas Tammy was making progress in shedding pounds. “He has gained 30 lbs and hasn’t been working his program,” a supply near Tammy informed The Solar. “They acquired into an enormous struggle over it and he informed her he needed a divorce, however then he tried to backtrack.”
It’s unclear if Tammy and Caleb had been formally damaged up on the time of his dying.
Within the season 5 premiere, Caleb opened up about how he wasn’t but prepared to go away the ability, and he admitted to being afraid of dropping Tammy. “The final time I’m going to see Tammy on this room. The final time I maintain my spouse’s hand, that I’ll kiss her. In my head, all that I preserve saying is, ‘Tammy’s gonna depart you. Tammy doesn’t suppose that you simply’re sufficient,’” he mentioned.
At one level, Tammy spoke about how she didn’t wish to depart with out Caleb within the season premiere. “I can’t think about strolling out of this place with out my husband,” she mentioned. “I let the world move me by, largest a part of my life, due to my weight. It’s simply I’m not mentally ready to go away you.”
Within the December 26 episode, Caleb was heartbroken that he had gained weight within the 2 weeks after Tammy had left rehab. “We’ve acquired plans. We wish a household. We wish to journey. It’s kinda arduous to do this once you’re a couple of hundred miles away,” Caleb mentioned about his relationship.
Caleb informed Tammy the unlucky information about his assembly with Dr. Smith in a FaceTime name. “It sucks. I hoped Dr. Smith informed Caleb he’s misplaced sufficient weight to have surgical procedure and get his trach eliminated,” Tammy mentioned. “It bothers me that he’s backsliding, however Caleb’s very delicate, so I really feel like I can’t say something. It’s simply, I really feel like I’ve to be sturdy for him.”
Tammy started to cry as she thought of Caleb. She added, “I’m apprehensive about Caleb. I feel he’ll let melancholy set in earlier than he hits all-time low once more and will get decided to return dwelling. I really feel responsible, unhappy. I’m numb. I don’t know methods to really feel… Overwhelmed, stressed, simply every thing.”