Married At First Sight star Cathy Evans has announced the shock death of her older brother.
The 30-year-old shared the tragic news with her Instagram followers on Friday alongside a series of images of her sibling, Ben, who died at the age of just 36 on Tuesday, which was Boxing Day.
Ben’s cause of death is not yet known, but Cathy has explained that he suffered a cardiac arrest in Taupō, New Zealand, where he was staying with his wife Kukkie and son Inam after going through a ‘troubled’ period in his life.
‘RIP to my brother 29.01.1987 – 26.12.2023′ the makeup artist began her heartbreaking post.
’26th December. Early morning I lost my brother too early in this life. Unexpectedly and suddenly. I flew to New Zealand for hours after hearing what happened. His last day on earth was Christmas’ Cathy continued.
‘Spending it with his newlywed wife, son and his family. I’m sorry I’m not home for Christmas. But I’m glad to know that you’re passing on that peace, love, and happiness in your heart after all you’ve been through and that you’re surrounded by all your loved ones in the house.
‘I will share the link here where anyone who knows him and wants to help donate to bring his body back to Thailand for his final resting place – per his request.’
The MAFS bride and her three brothers were raised in New Zealand but have Welsh and Thai heritage.
Cathy also shared a link to a Give A Little fundraising page which she has set up, hoping to raise $20,000 to bring Ben’s body home to Thailand.
As of Friday evening, the fundraiser has reached $14,950 with over 130 donations.
‘Since he was a healthy and young man, Ben did not have life insurance and since his sudden death – we (his family) we’re not prepared for the costs that come with repatriation (transportation of his body back to Thailand)’ the page reads.
‘Ben recently married the love of his life to Siriluk (Kukkie) on the 21st November 2023. They were so excited to start their chapters together, with Kukkie receiving a partner based visa into NZ, she arrived into NZ on the 14th of December.
‘Ben showed Kukkie around Taupo in the little time they had together until his life was unfairly taken from him.’
At this current time – we still do not have exact reasons for his death – but that he suffered a potential cardiac arrest. We will update once we know more.
‘Those of you who knew Ben, know that he has had a very troubled last two years’ she continued.
‘It brings us comfort in our hearts that for his last day on earth, he spent Christmas Day with his new loving wife, his son Inam and his family of mum, dad and sister. He died in the night surrounded by his nearest and dearest.’
On December 27, Cathy had shared a worrying Instagram Stories post about her ‘worst nightmare’ coming true.
The TV star posted a photo taken inside an airplane as it was docking at a New Zealand airport, and captioned it with some distressing words.
‘Emergency flight to NZ. My worst nightmare come to life. Always hold your loved ones close,’ the New Zealand-born influencer wrote next to the photo.
Cathy, who currently lives in Sydney, then admitted she was currently struggling and asked her fans for advice on returning to Australia.
‘I’m not doing very well and I’m unable to think clearly. If anyone has dealt with international repatriation companies, please send my way,’ she added.
Cathy is known to be very close to her three brothers, Logan, Marko and Ben.
In an Instagram post from 2015, she explained that the LMB tattoo on her forearm represents her three sibling’s names.
Cathy rose to fame on the Australian dating show Married At First Sight in 2020, where she was paired with groom Josh Pihlak.