Former “Masterchef Junior” contestant Ben Watkins has died. He was 14 years old.
The young chef died at Chicago Children’s Hospital on Monday, his family’s lawyer Trent A. said. McCain told Fox News on Tuesday.
Watkins was battling a rare disease called angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma. Only six people have been diagnosed in the world, McCain said.
Watkins participated during season six of the Gordon Ramsay-hosted cooking competition show.
‘Master Junior’ star Ben Watkins, 13, was diagnosed with a tumor 3 years after the death of his parents
‘Masterchef Jr..’ Ben Watkins on season 6 of. He died at the age of 14 after a battle with a rare disease known as angiometoid fibrous histiocytoma.
His death was also announced in a statement by his family on the GoFundMe page.
“Our Ben went home with his mother on Monday afternoon after a two-year-long battle with cancer,” the statement read.
The cause of death of DJ Eric Morillo
Ben’s parents died in a suicide in 2017, months before the season six premiere of “Masterchef Jr.” He was cared for by his uncle after his surgery, McCain said.
“Ben will always be the strongest person we know. When Ben’s rare illness was shared with the world, he was heartbroken by the love he received from every corner of the globe – especially here in his hometown of Gary, Indiana,” the statement continued. “We don’t thank our community enough to stop praying and for all you have done.”
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The family concluded that Watkins was no longer in pain and that “he loved many.”
“#Love4Ben,” they added.
Rams, 54, also paid tribute on social media on Tuesday.
“We lost a master of @masterchefJRFOX kitchen today,” he wrote with a photo of the young chef. “Ben you were an incredibly talented home cook and he was even stronger young. There were many tough turns in your young life but you always remained steadfast. With this terrible loss sent all the love to Ben Watkins’ family.”
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Following the news of Watkins’ diagnosis, several judges and contestants from Ramsay and “Masterchef Jr.” appeared in a video to greet their friend and encourage fans to donate to his GoFundman.
