HEARTBREAKING NEWS: The Voice winner d!es in tragic accident after being reported missing
The star’s famous brother paid emotional tribute to this sibling.
The Voice winner Ben Saunders has d!ed (Image: Getty)
The Voice winner Ben Saunders has d!ed at the age of 43. The London-born star had been reported missing, and after a major search operation, his body was found in the water at the Rijkerswoerdse Plassen near Arnhem in the Netherlands on Tuesday, September 15. Police have reportedly ruled out foul play. His older brother Dean won the third season of the Dutch music competition Popstars on 22 January 2011, just a day after Ben’s victory on the country’s version of The Voice, confirming the news in a heartbreaking Instagram post.
Sharing a picture of the two of them as children, he wrote: “My dear little brother passed away today… I have never felt pain like this before… what a terrible day for all of us… We have to learn to live with this, and I hope it is treated with respect… Ben had a beautiful family and relatives who love him dearly—and I always will, too… Ben is in my heart, and he will stay there forever.” Just three days ago, Ben had shared his final social media post showing him and his fianceé Janita Engels at a wedding where he sang for the bride and groom.
Ben, who was also a tattoo artist, also known as Tattoo Ben, moved to the Netherlands with his family at the age of three. He and Dean had a long history of appearing on TV talent shows. In 2000, they competed in Alles voor de band: Follow that dream, becoming part of the band Follow That Dream (F.T.D.), which signed to Dino Music record label.[citation needed]
Their debut single, the self-titled Follow That Dream, was released in November 2000 and reached No. 25 in the Dutch Top 40, but six months later the band split.
In 2003, he and Dean took part in the 2003 Dutch Nationaal Songfestival, a music pre-selection contest for qualification to the Eurovision Song Contest. They performed the song “Stand As One”[3] in the third heat under the name “The Brothers” getting just 10 points and finishing with 3% of the popular vote as seventh out of 8 participants
During his time on The Voice of Holland, which airs on RTL 4, he impressed the coaches with a rendition of Kings of Leon’s “Use Somebody” in his audition. He joined the team of popular Dutch singer-songwriter Roel van Velzen and went on to win the final in January 2011.
Ben Saunders had been reported missing before his de@th was confirmed (Image: Getty)
Tributes flooded in for the beloved star as the tragic news became public knowledge. On Facebook, one fan commented: “I haven’t really followed him since, but that season of The Voice…he won…was one of the best. I was glued to the screen. It is so incredibly sad for his family and friends that he is no longer with us. Wishing strength and courage to everyone who loved him.”
Another added: “Rest in peace, Ben. A sad end; wishing strength to everyone who loved him.” A third chimed in: “…It’s terrible. Unimaginable. I wish his family, friends, and everyone who loved him lots of strength.”
A fourth shared: “A huge loss. My condolences to his family and friends on the loss of Ben. Wishing you strength during this difficult time..”
A fifth reflected: “Terrible. My condolences and wishing lots of strength to his family and everyone close to him.” Meanwhile a sixth commented: “I’m shaken. What terrible news; I want to wish strength to everyone who loved him and was close to him. Sometimes words just aren’t enough, and this is one of those times. Far too young, with a beautiful family and so many plans for the future. It’s impossible to comprehend.”
