A popular YouTuber has revealed his plans to fulfil his girlfriend's dying wish after he woke up in hospital to learn she had passed away.
Hailing from the US, Billy LeBlanc had risen to fame online as part of the LeBlanc family vloggers, which consisted of the 44-year-old appearing in videos in videos alongside his kids Annie, Hayley, and Caleb, as well as ex-wife Katie.
However, Billy's life was turned upside down after he and partner Natalie Clark contracted a serious bacterial infection from eating contaminated seafood.
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The couple had been dining on raw oysters, which caused them to develop Vibrio Vulnificus, a rare infection which can occur after eating cooked or uncooked fish.
The bacteria can cause septicaemia, severe wound infections, and gastroenteritis in patients, which can be fatal if left untreated. Statistics shared by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention adds that one in five people die from the infection.
The pair were both hospitalised with their symptoms.
Billy recovered after spending 12 days in hospital, while Natalie sadly passed away. She is survived by her 17-year-old son Julien, who is also a YouTuber.
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Confirming the devastating news of her death with followers on his Instagram, Billy said he would 'always love' Natalie.
"I will always remember how we got lost everywhere together," he wrote.
"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."
Months on from her devastating death, and it seems like Billy is committed to keeping her legacy alive, announcing in a recent YouTube video that he had now launched a podcast - something which had long been a goal of Natalie's.
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"One of the things that Natalie always wanted me to do... was to do a podcast," he explained in the video, before going on to ask if any of his followers were interested in working on a podcast long-distance with him.
Billy then went on to answer a list of questions that he he'd found in an old notebook of Natalie's, which included questions such as 'what made you attracted to me' and 'why don't you make YouTube videos consistently'.
Viewers and fans of Billy's former family channel were touched by his decision to turn Natalie's goals into a reality, with people sharing advice for how he could set up a podcast as well as well-wishes.
"You are a fighter billy I'm so sorry for your loss," one person wrote, while a second added: "I think continuing with the videos/podcast would be good for you, it would give you a project to focus on and look forward to! glad to see you back."
Brenna Cooper