Caleb Willingham, Tammy Slaton’s husband, died at the age of 40, leaving her “devastated.”
However, no cause of death or other information was given.Caleb, also known by the moniker “Killa K” or “Double K,” occasionally made an appearance on his wife’s TLC program.
He first encountered Slaton while she was having therapy for weight loss surgery in Ohio during her 14-month rehab stint.
“Rip sweet angel you will forever be missed and loved so much thank you Caleb for showing me real love and happiness,” along with a number of photos of them all together, the 36-year-old star of TLC’s 1000 lb Sisters shared with fans on Instagram.
“I am devastated to share the news of my husband’s passing. He was my best friend and I loved him dearly,” she later explained.
“When I met Caleb he became my guardian angel and now he really is watching over me. Our families appreciate everyone’s sympathy and ask that you respect our privacy at this time,” she added.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of Caleb Willingham’s passing. Our condolences go out to Tammy, his family and friends at this difficult time,” TLC said in a separate statement.
In November 2022, the two made friends at the Gibsonburg, Ohio-based Windsor Lane Rehabilitation Center. Caleb was also a patient receiving treatment for obesity at the same facility.
Within weeks of getting to know one another, they were married and fell in love. They were joined by 30 of their closest friends and family members for the intimate celebration, which was held at the facility.
“When I saw Caleb at the altar, I was just picturing doves and butterflies all around like God had opened up the clouds and let the sunlight in,” Tammy shared during an episode of her TLC show which followed their ceremony.
“You all knew me as Tammy Slaton, but now you’ll all know me as Mrs. Tammy Willingham,” she said at the time. “I’m married now!”
Tammy’s sister Amy, who has vibrant purple hair, served as one of her bridesmaids and wore a burned orange dress. Tammy wore a white wedding dress and had a tiara set in her curly hair.
Following Tammy and her sister Amy, who weighed 605 pounds and 406 pounds, respectively, as they dealt with their weight issues and family dysfunction, the show premiered in 2020. In the three years since they first met, there have been many ups and downs for the couple, who both hailed from Kentucky.
But Amy in particular found peace with her body thanks to the reality show, admitting in late 2019 that she can “go to the store and not worry about my looks because I feel good about myself regardless of what other people say about me”.
Amy and her husband Michael Halterman, 40, welcomed their second son Glee in 2022 after getting married in 2017. “The wait is finally over … Michael and I are happy to announce the birth of our son, Glenn Allen Halterman,” Amy shared at the time; she is also mom to Gage, two.
But according to reports, Caleb and the couple broke up in May because he allegedly wasn’t “following his diet in rehab.” In March 2023, Michael filed for divorce.
