YouTuber Billy LeBlanc has issued a warning after revealing that a shared meal left his girlfriend, Natalie Clark, dead and him fighting for his life in hospital.
What happened
LeBlanc, known to millions as part of the family behind the YouTube channel Bratayley, wrote on Instagram: "I'm sure none of you know but I recently almost died. I was in the hospital for 12 days. Unfortunately, Natalie didn't make it and she passed away." He paid tribute to her, adding: "I will always remember how we got lost everywhere together. I will always love her and miss her." He urged followers to "be safe and hold your loved ones tight," saying you never know when it'll be the last time you see someone.
The meal that caused it
LeBlanc later revealed the cause in a comment on the post: the couple had eaten raw oysters and both contracted Vibrio vulnificus, a rare but serious bacterial infection that can be caught from raw or undercooked seafood. The infection can lead to vibriosis, which can progress quickly to sepsis and, if untreated, can be fatal. Symptoms typically appear within 24 hours of exposure and can include fever, chills, skin redness that quickly worsens, large fluid-filled blisters, vomiting, diarrhoea, and a rapid heart rate. Health officials advise seeking immediate medical care if these symptoms develop after eating raw shellfish.
What happened after
In a video posted to Instagram, LeBlanc explained that both he and Clark felt unwell for a couple of days after the meal before he woke up to find she had died. He said he spent 12 days in hospital, including eight in the ICU, and remembers little of that period. He described being in a "mourning phase" while thanking followers for their support.
LeBlanc's mother, Yvette Berthelot LeBlanc, also paid tribute to Clark on Facebook, confirming her son had been close to death himself during his ICU stay, and asked for continued prayers for Clark's family, including her son Julian, as well as for Billy's physical and emotional recovery.
