The medical cause behind the tragic passing of Dolly Martinez, a former participant on TLC's "My 600-Lb. Life," has been disclosed by her family. The 30-year-old reality television personality succumbed to congestive heart failure, her mother, Staci Thurman, confirmed to media outlets.
Martinez was hospitalized in Fort Worth on March 29 after developing fluid around her heart and lungs. Her condition deteriorated rapidly, leading doctors to place her in a medically induced coma and on a ventilator. Despite medical intervention, she did not recover.
Her half-sister, Lindsey Cooper, whom their mother described as Dolly's "best friend," announced the loss in a heartfelt social media post.
"It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of my beautiful sister, Dolly," Cooper wrote. "Dolly had the brightest personality. She could light up any room with her laughter, her kindness, and her loving spirit. She had a way of making everyone feel special, and her warmth will stay with us forever."
Cooper also shared a message of solace, adding, "While our hearts are broken here, I find comfort in knowing she is now reunited with our dad in heaven. I can only imagine the joy of that reunion."
Martinez appeared on the TLC documentary series in 2022, where she candidly discussed her challenges with food addiction and her journey toward qualifying for weight-loss surgery.
In the days following the news, Cooper addressed online critics, urging for compassion and respect.
"I'm allowed to grieve my sister, Dolly, on here," she stated in a subsequent post. "I know many people knew her from a show or TikTok, and that's okay but please remember there's so much more to her than what was seen online or on TV. She was my sister first. She deserves peace and she deserves kindness."
The revelation brings a somber close to the public story of a woman who shared her personal health struggles with a national audience, highlighting the severe medical complications associated with extreme obesity.