Ben Saunders, First Winner of 'The Voice of Holland,' Dies at 43
The Dutch singer was found deceased at a recreational lake; police have ruled out foul play.
Ben Saunders, the inaugural winner of the Dutch reality singing competition "The Voice of Holland," has died at the age of 43. His body was discovered Tuesday afternoon at the Rijkerswoerdse Plassen recreational lake in the Netherlands, according to local reports.
Saunders had been identified as someone police were searching for due to "various tattoos on his head and neck, on his arms and hands." Authorities have stated that they do not suspect foul play in his death, though a cause has not been immediately released.
His partner, Juanita, and their 9-year-old son, Benji, shared a tribute on Instagram, expressing their profound grief. "This loss leaves an indescribably huge void in our lives," Juanita wrote, adding, "We earnestly ask everyone to respect our privacy during this incredibly difficult time." She announced that a public memorial would be held at Craftman’s Tattoo, a studio she co-owned with Saunders in Arnhem, on Saturday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. local time.
Saunders, who also worked as a tattoo artist with over 25 years of experience, was remembered by his brother, Dean Saunders, in an emotional Instagram post. "My sweet little brother passed away today," Dean wrote. "I have never experienced such pain as I feel right now. What a terrible day for all of us."
Marco Borsato, a coach on "The Voice" during Saunders's winning season, paid tribute to the singer, sharing a video of them performing a duet on the show. "Dear, special man, my heart is crying!" Borsato wrote. "I can’t find words for the emptiness you leave behind. Dear Juanita, friends and family, lots of strength in processing this enormous loss."
Saunders rose to prominence after winning the first season of "The Voice of Holland" in 2011. The show's success led to its expansion into over 150 international adaptations by 2023.