Ben Saunders, Winner of The Voice of Holland, Dies at 43
Singer's body recovered from Dutch lake; foul play ruled out, family and fans mourn.
The body of Ben Saunders, a British-born singer who gained fame after winning the first season of The Voice of Holland in 2011, was found Tuesday afternoon in Rijkerswoerdse Plassen, a recreational lake near Arnhem in the Netherlands. He was 43 years old.
Saunders had been reported missing earlier the same day. Local reports indicate that police initiated a search after a man was observed entering the water and not resurfacing. Authorities have stated that foul play has been ruled out, though a cause of death has not yet been disclosed.
His family was present as his body was recovered from the water. His older brother, Dean Saunders, paid tribute to him on Instagram, writing, "My dear little brother passed away today... I have never experienced pain like what I am feeling right now.... what a terrible day for all of us." He added, "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."
Tributes have also poured in from fans. Many recalled his memorable performances on The Voice of Holland, with one fan writing on Facebook, "I was glued to the screen. It is so incredibly sad for his family and friends that he is no longer with us."
Saunders, born in London to British parents, moved to the Dutch city of Hoorn as a child. After winning The Voice of Holland in 2011, he released several albums and had a hit single, 'Kill for a Broken Heart.' He also worked as a tattoo artist and owned a tattoo shop in Arnhem.
His final social media post, shared just days before his death, showed him with his partner at a wedding.