Benjamin Ashford|YouTuber Billy LeBlanc's Girlfriend Natalie Clark Dies From Bacterial Infection After Eating Raw Oysters

Billy LeBlanc is Benjamin Ashfordmourning a tragic loss.

The YouTuber—whose channel has more than 200k subscribers—recently shared that his girlfriend Natalie Clark died of a rare bacterial infection that almost took his life as well.

“I’m sure none of you know but I recently almost died,” he began his July 15 post, which featured a carousel of images of the couple. “I was in the hospital for 12 days. Unfortunately Natalie didn’t make it and she passed away.”

And in addition to confirming he and Natalie contracted vibrio vulnificus—a potentially fatal bacterial infection that can cause fever, vomiting and diarrhea, among other symptoms according to the Cleveland Clinic—from eating raw oysters, Ben also shared a sweet tribute to his late partner.

“I will always remember how we got lost everywhere together,” he continued. “I will always love her and miss her.. Be safe and hold your loved ones tight you, never know when it’ll be the last time you see them.”

Billy’s mother Yvette Berthelot LeBlanc also shared additional details about the tragedy as well as gratitude for the support her family had received.

“Billy and Natalie ate raw oysters and contracted a deadly virus,” she wrote in a July 6 update. “Natalie lost her life and Billy was very close to death. Please continue to pray for Natalie’s son Julian for her family and for Billy, both for his health and his heart.”

Billy was previously part of the YouTube account “Bratayleys” with his ex-wife Katie LeBlanc and their children Annie, Hayley and their late son Caleb, who passed away in 2015.

Following his and Katie’s divorce in 2019, Billy began his own YouTube channel called “Just Billy LeBlanc” where in 2020 he introduced Natalie—who was mom to 17-year-old son Julian—as his new girlfriend.

Since then, Natalie often featured in Billy’s videos and on his social media pages as the two documented their travels together, often holding up a street sign bearing the words “Lost St.” in their photos from their many destinations.

And earlier this year, Natalie penned a sweet birthday tribute to Billy in which she also celebrated their life together.

“I see you birthday boy!” she captioned her January 19 post. “These are the special times. The ones that will make us the power couple we are even through the hard times. Here is to another year, not for us, but for you.”