The Tragic Story Of James K: 5 Shocking Details From His My 600-lb Life Journey And Final Update (2025)

The story of James King, known to fans as "James K," remains one of the most controversial and tragic chapters in the history of TLC's *My 600-lb Life*. Even in 2025, years after his initial appearance, his journey continues to be a subject of intense discussion among viewers due to the shocking circumstances of his time on the show and his ultimate, heartbreaking fate. James’s struggle with morbid obesity was extreme, characterized by a series of dramatic setbacks, profound medical crises, and a highly publicized conflict with his medical team.

Originally appearing on the show in 2017, James’s episode highlighted the complex and often devastating reality of severe food addiction and the challenges faced by Dr. Younan Nowzaradan in treating patients whose support systems may inadvertently enable their destructive habits. This article provides a comprehensive look at James King's life, his battle for survival, the controversies that derailed his treatment, and the definitive, final update on his life.

James King: A Complete Biography and Timeline

James King’s story is a profound case study in the devastating effects of extreme obesity and the psychological factors that fuel food addiction. His life was defined by a constant, uphill battle against his weight, which led to numerous life-threatening health issues.

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• Full Name: James King
• Nickname: James K
• Date of Birth: June 2, 1970
• Hometown: Paducah, Kentucky
• Initial Appearance: *My 600-lb Life*, Season 5, Episode 11 (2017)
• Follow-up Appearance: *My 600-lb Life: Where Are They Now?*, Season 6, Episode 23
• Initial Weight on Show: 791 pounds
• Peak Weight: Reportedly over 840 pounds during his time in the program
• Medical Conditions: Sepsis, kidney failure, congestive heart failure, cellulitis, severe lymphedema.
• Family: Wife, Lisa Raisor King, and children.
• Date of Death: April 3, 2020
• Age at Death: 49
• Cause of Death: Kidney failure

The 5 Most Shocking and Controversial Moments of James K's Journey

James King’s time on *My 600-lb Life* was marked by drama and a lack of progress that ultimately led to his dismissal from Dr. Nowzaradan's program. His episodes are often cited by fans as examples of the most extreme cases of non-compliance and enablement seen on the series.

1. His Staggering 791-Pound Starting Weight

When James first appeared, his weight of 791 pounds immediately placed him among the heaviest participants in the show's history. This extreme level of morbid obesity rendered him completely bedridden and dependent on his wife, Lisa, and his children for all basic needs, including bathing and feeding. The sheer physical toll of his weight—which included debilitating lymphedema and chronic pain—was a shocking sight for viewers and a critical medical emergency for Dr. Now. His dependence was a core theme of his story, illustrating how his physical condition trapped him and his family.

2. The Controversial 112-Pound Weight Gain in One Month

The most infamous moment of James’s journey occurred when he was admitted to the hospital under Dr. Now’s care. Despite being on a supposed strict diet, he shockingly gained 112 pounds in a single month. Dr. Nowzaradan, a specialist known for his stern but pragmatic approach, was visibly furious and suspected foul play. This massive weight gain signaled a complete failure to adhere to the life-saving program and raised serious questions about the environment surrounding James’s care.

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3. Dr. Now Calls Adult Protective Services (APS) on Lisa King

The controversy escalated when Dr. Nowzaradan, suspecting that James’s wife, Lisa Raisor King, was smuggling high-calorie food to him in the hospital, took the extraordinary step of calling Adult Protective Services (APS). This was an almost unprecedented move on the show, highlighting the severity of the suspected food enablement. Dr. Now's concern was that Lisa’s actions—whether intentional or due to her own codependency—were actively endangering James’s life and sabotaging the medical intervention. The resulting confrontation and the involvement of outside authorities became a major talking point for the show's fanbase.

4. Dismissal from the Program and Loss of Treatment

Following the continuous weight gain and the breakdown of trust with Dr. Nowzaradan, James was ultimately dismissed from the program. Dr. Now, who has a policy of only operating on patients who prove they can lose weight through diet and exercise, could no longer justify the risk of bariatric surgery. James’s dismissal was a tragic outcome, as it meant he was sent home without the life-saving surgical intervention he desperately needed. This moment served as a stark reminder that even with expert medical help, the patient and their support system must be fully committed to change for success to be possible.

5. The Tragic Final Update and Cause of Death

The most definitive and saddest update on James King came on April 3, 2020, when he passed away at Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. He was 49 years old. While his journey on the show ended in disappointment, reports indicate that James had continued to work on his health after his dismissal. Before his death, he had reportedly lost over 300 pounds, a significant achievement that showed a final, desperate effort to reclaim his life. However, years of extreme obesity had taken an irreversible toll on his body. The official cause of death was kidney failure, a common complication of severe, long-term morbid obesity and related conditions like congestive heart failure.

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The Legacy of James K and the Reality of Food Addiction

The story of James King continues to resonate with viewers and medical professionals, serving as a powerful, albeit painful, example of the challenges inherent in treating extreme food addiction. His case brought to the forefront the concept of "enabling" in the context of morbid obesity—where a caretaker, often out of misguided love or codependency, provides the very thing that is killing their loved one. The intense scrutiny on his wife, Lisa, and the involvement of Adult Protective Services highlighted the need to treat the entire family system, not just the individual patient.

Dr. Nowzaradan often emphasizes that success in his program is 80% psychological commitment and 20% surgery. James’s initial failure to commit, compounded by the enabling behavior of his spouse, ultimately sealed his fate. Despite his final, heroic efforts to lose hundreds of pounds, the damage to his internal organs, particularly his kidneys, was too far gone. The tragic passing of James King at such a young age is a solemn reminder of the deadly consequences of food addiction and the complex, often heartbreaking, reality of the battle against extreme weight.

Fans continue to honor his memory, recognizing the profound pain and struggle he endured. His story, though dark, remains a critical piece of the *My 600-lb Life* narrative, underscoring the severity of the health crisis faced by individuals with morbid obesity and the incredible difficulty of achieving lasting change.