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The Tragic And Controversial Life Of James K: What Happened To The My 600-lb Life Star?

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The story of James King, known to millions as "James K" from TLC's reality series My 600-lb Life, remains one of the most heartbreaking and controversial chapters in the show’s history. As of late 2025, the conversation around James’s complex and ultimately tragic weight loss journey continues to resonate with fans, not for a miraculous transformation, but for the dramatic conflicts and severe health decline that played out on screen. His episodes, which spanned Season 5 and a subsequent *Where Are They Now?* special, detailed a struggle with food addiction that escalated into a life-or-death scenario, culminating in a peak weight that was among the highest ever featured.

James K's reality TV appearance became infamous for the intense confrontation with renowned bariatric surgeon Dr. Younan Nowzaradan ("Dr. Now") and the shocking allegations of sabotage involving his primary caregiver and wife, Lisa King. While many patients on the show face immense challenges, James’s case was unique due to the severity of his medical conditions and the public scrutiny over his support system, ultimately leading to his dismissal from the program. His health battle ended tragically in April 2020, leaving behind a legacy that serves as a powerful, albeit difficult, cautionary tale about the complexities of morbid obesity and addiction.

James King: Full Biography and Profile

James King’s life was defined by his family and his decades-long struggle with food addiction and extreme obesity. His story on *My 600-lb Life* brought to light the intense physical and emotional toll his condition took on him and his entire family.

  • Full Name: James King
  • Nickname: James K
  • Born: June 2, 1970
  • Hometown/Residence: Paducah, Kentucky
  • Died: April 3, 2020, in Nashville, Tennessee
  • Age at Death: 49
  • Cause of Death: Congestive heart failure, kidney failure, and liver failure, all complications of his extreme obesity.
  • Wife: Lisa Raisor King
  • Children: 6 (Four daughters: Carrie, Krystle, Courtney, Bayley; Two sons: Daemian, Austin)
  • Grandchildren: 19 (at the time of his passing)
  • Initial Weight on Show (Season 5): 791 lbs.
  • Peak Weight: 840 lbs. (while hospitalized)

The Infamous Journey: 791 Lbs to 840 Lbs and Dismissal

James King first appeared on *My 600-lb Life* in Season 5 in 2017, weighing in at a staggering 791 lbs. At the time, he was one of the heaviest patients ever featured on the show. He was completely bedridden and dependent on his wife, Lisa King, and his children for all his daily needs, including bathing and feeding. James attributed his weight gain to a rough childhood and a devastating ankle injury that left him immobile and deepened his depression.

The Failed Weight Loss Program

James’s time with Dr. Nowzaradan was marked by extreme frustration and a lack of progress. The goal for James was to lose enough weight to qualify for bariatric surgery, which was his only chance at survival. However, instead of losing weight on Dr. Now’s strict diet regimen, James continued to gain. His initial two-month progress showed a minimal loss of 21 lbs, dropping from 788 lbs to 770 lbs, which was deemed insufficient for his critical health status.

The situation worsened dramatically. During his hospitalization under Dr. Now’s care, James K’s weight shockingly climbed to an all-time high of 840 lbs. This alarming gain immediately raised red flags for the medical team, as a hospital environment is supposed to strictly control caloric intake. The lack of adherence to the program, even in a controlled setting, led to a major conflict that became the centerpiece of his episodes.

The Controversy: Dr. Now vs. Lisa King and Adult Protective Services

The most controversial element of James King's story was the intense confrontation between Dr. Now and James’s wife, Lisa King. Dr. Nowzaradan grew suspicious of James's continuous weight gain while supposedly on a medically supervised diet. He concluded that James was being provided with excessive food by his primary caregiver.

Accusations of Sabotage

The on-screen drama peaked when Dr. Now confronted Lisa with the evidence of James's weight gain, accusing her of "enabling" his food addiction and potentially "sabotaging" his treatment. The doctor believed that Lisa was sneaking James food while he was hospitalized. James himself was also accused of manipulating his family members to bring him food. This dynamic, often referred to as "enabling behavior," is a recurring but rarely this extreme theme on the show, where family support can inadvertently become a barrier to recovery.

The situation became so dire and the risk to James’s life so high that Dr. Now made the unprecedented decision to contact Adult Protective Services (APS). The doctor argued that James was a victim of medical neglect and that his wife’s actions were severely jeopardizing his life. James, however, defended Lisa and expressed his desire to leave the program, leading to his eventual dismissal from the weight loss program.

The Tragic Final Chapter and Legacy of James K

Following his dismissal from the program, James King’s health deteriorated rapidly. The hope for bariatric surgery was gone, and the severe medical conditions he had developed due to his weight—including congestive heart failure, liver failure, and kidney failure—progressed quickly.

The Death of James King

James King passed away on April 3, 2020, at a hospital in Nashville, Tennessee, at the age of 49. His death, sadly, was a direct consequence of the health complications stemming from his morbid obesity. His family released a statement confirming his passing, noting that he was a loving husband, father, and "poppy" to his 19 grandchildren.

The death of James K, and other cast members like Sean Milliken and L.B. Bonner, highlights the extreme risks associated with the condition and the immense psychological and physical hurdles patients face. His story is a poignant reminder that the weight loss journey is not just about diet and exercise; it is a complex battle against deep-seated food addiction, mental health issues, and, in some cases, the unintended consequences of an overly supportive or enabling family structure. James King's controversial and tragic journey continues to be a central talking point among fans and a somber case study in the fight against extreme obesity.

james k 600 pound life
james k 600 pound life

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