The Voice’s First Winner, Ben Saunders, Found Dead in a Lake at 43

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The Voice is mourning its first champion. 

Singer Ben Saunders, who found fame as the winner of The Voice of Holland in 2011—the first iteration of the competition series—was found dead on Sept. 15. He was 43. 

Ben was discovered at the Rijkerswoerdse Plassen, a lake located in Elst on the border of Arnhem South in the Netherlands, according to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.

Dutch News also confirmed that a body was recovered from the lake at 1:20 p.m. local time on Sept. 15. No cause of death has been shared at this time. 

“We can confirm that a body was found yesterday at a recreational lake of Arnhem and that police have ruled out foul play,” the Police Unit East Netherlands said in a statement to People Sept. 16. “We do not release or comment on personal details.” 

E! News has reached out to authorities for additional information but has not heard back.

Ben’s death was also confirmed by his brother Dean Saunders, who shared a heartbreaking tribute to his younger brother. 

“I have never experienced pain like what I am feeling right now.... what a terrible day for all of us,” he wrote on Instagram Sept. 15 in a post translated from Dutch. “We have to learn to live with this and I hope this will be handled respectfully... Ben had a beautiful beautiful family and a family that loves him very much and always will .. Ben is in my heart and he will stay there forever.”

In a follow up post, Dean added, “My little brother for 43 years …. we didn't always get along and certainly weren't on the same page about everything but believe me … I would have jumped a bullet for him. singing will never be the same again…. out of sight but never out of my heart.”

Rob Verhorst/Redferns

Before finding success on The Voice of Holland, Ben competed on the RTL 4 talent program Alles voor de band: Follow that dream in 2000, joining the Dutch pop band Follow That Dream, which was formed from the series. He and Dean were both members of the group, although they ultimately split in 2001. 

After winning the first iteration of The Voice in 2011, Ben released his album You Thought You Knew Me By Now in 2011 and Heart & Soul the following year. 

Following his musical success, Ben opened up a tattoo parlor with Dean called Tattoo Saunders. 

The shop also shared a remembrance of Ben, posting on Instagram Sept. 15, “Rest in peace my little brother. Ben Saunders will never be forgotten.”

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