90 Day Fiancé Cast Deaths: Remembering the Stars We Lost

The 90 Day Fiancé franchise premiered on TLC in January 2014, originally focusing on couples navigating the K‑1 visa process that requires marriage within 90 days of arrival in the United States. Over time, it has expanded into a cultural phenomenon with more than 20 spin‑offs, collectively known as the “90 Day Universe,” highlighting international romances, cultural adjustments, and legal hurdles. The series has attracted millions of viewers and produced memorable storylines ranging from whirlwind engagements to family conflicts and last‑minute weddings.

Alongside the drama and romance, the franchise has also seen moments of loss. In recent years three cast members have died, drawing coverage from major outlets such as People, Entertainment Weekly, and the New York Post. Jason Hitch from Season 2, David Murphey from Season 4 of Before the 90 Days, and Ben Rathbun from Season 5 each left a lasting impression through their storylines and personal journeys. The following sections review their time on the show and the confirmed details of their lives beyond it.

Jason Hitch

• Show: 90 Day Fiancé (Season 2, 2014)
• Death: December 14, 2021, age 45
• Cause: Complications from COVID-19

Jason Hitch, who appeared alongside Cássia Tavares, passed away on December 14, 2021, in a Florida ICU with his family by his side. His sister confirmed that he was not vaccinated but had no known preexisting medical conditions, making his sudden death all the more shocking. Beyond reality TV, Jason was a U.S. Army veteran, serving as a first lieutenant in the Army Reserves in Florida. His family remembered him as a dedicated officer and leader to his men.

On 90 Day Fiancé Season 2 (2014), Jason, then 38, pursued a long‑distance romance with 23‑year‑old Cássia Tavares from Curitiba, Brazil, whom he met through a mutual Facebook friend. She came to Florida on a K‑1 visa and initially lived with Jason and his father, which created additional stress. Their season highlighted cultural clashes, jealousy, and financial disputes—including arguments about Jason’s frugal approach to furniture and household items. Despite these struggles, they married later that year in Florida. The couple even launched small ventures together, including Jason’s mail‑order snack business Gifting Fun and reselling second‑hand furniture.

In January 2017, their marriage faced a serious crisis when Jason was arrested on a domestic battery charge after a dispute in which police records noted he allegedly grabbed Cássia’s arm and pushed her off a bed, leaving a mark. A no-contact order was issued, but the charges were later dropped at Cássia’s request as she preferred therapy over legal action. The two briefly attempted reconciliation, including counseling, but ultimately separated later that year and finalized their divorce in 2018.

David Murphey

• Show: Before the 90 Days (Season 4, 2020)
• Death: December 11, 2024, age 66
• Cause: Cardiac arrhythmia and hypertensive cardiovascular disease; pulmonary emboli also noted. He also battled liver cancer and endured more than 13 surgeries in his final year.

David Murphey, who appeared in Season 4 of Before the 90 Days, became known for his long-distance romance with Lana, a Ukrainian woman he had pursued online for years. At 60 years old, he traveled repeatedly to Ukraine to meet her, with his first four attempts unsuccessful. Their storyline became one of the most notable of the season, marked by his repeated efforts despite skepticism that Lana was genuine. On his fifth trip, Lana finally met him in person, and the season concluded with a proposal. Although Lana accepted, the engagement ended within months when she remained active on dating websites and communication between them stopped.

Off screen, David lived in Las Vegas and had a varied career. He served as a veteran, worked as a software engineer, ran small businesses, and later held a position at the Clark County Treasurer’s Office before retiring. He was also recognized for his interest in animal welfare and was particularly devoted to his cat, Gamera.

David died on December 11, 2024, at age 66. His passing was reported by major outlets and confirmed by the Clark County Coroner in Nevada, who listed his cause of death as cardiac arrhythmia and hypertensive cardiovascular disease, with pulmonary emboli also contributing. He had also been treated for liver cancer for more than a year and endured over a dozen surgeries in his final months.

David’s family also issued a public statement on Instagram, confirming that he had “experienced health issues over the last several years” and passed away peacefully at home in Las Vegas. In their message, they described him as “a veteran, small business owner, and software engineer” who had recently retired from the Clark County Treasurer’s Office after earlier work with H&R Block and IGT. They added: “His time on the show allowed him to connect with viewers, see the world, and share his experiences with his thousands of followers on Instagram.” The statement emphasized that he will be deeply missed by family, friends, and fans, and noted that he is survived by his two sisters and his beloved cat Gamera.

The family highlighted his passion for animals, writing: “David had a fierce love for cats. He always made an effort to adopt cats and give them a good loving home.” In keeping with his wishes, they asked that donations be made to The Animal Foundation in Las Vegas, the shelter where David had chosen to adopt from.

Ben Rathbun

• Show: Before the 90 Days (Season 5, 2021–2022)
• Death: May 19, 2025, age 55
• Cause: Stage 4 stomach cancer

Ben Rathbun was introduced to audiences in Season 5 of Before the 90 Days, where his relationship with Mahogany Roca became one of the central storylines. At the time of filming in 2021, Ben was 52 years old, while Mahogany was 22 and living in San Bartolo, Peru. The 30‑year age difference, combined with Mahogany’s reluctance to meet on video calls, drew heavy skepticism from viewers and fellow cast members.

According to Ben’s account on the show, he had gone through a period of loneliness and personal struggle after leaving his marriage and stepping away from his church leadership role. He said he turned to online dating platforms after a long break from relationships, which eventually led him to connect with Mahogany. They began direct messaging daily, and by the time filming began, Ben said they had been in constant contact for more than 100 days.

On the program, Ben highlighted two key aspects of their bond: their shared Christian faith and their agreement to wait until marriage for intimacy. He explained that previous relationships often ended when he shared those beliefs, but Mahogany embraced them, which made the relationship feel different to him. Messages exchanged between them, including Mahogany writing that “Benjamin, you deserve to be loved and I want to be that person,” were presented during the season as signs of their growing commitment.

In August 2022, Ben and Mahogany publicly announced their engagement. Reports at the time noted that the proposal took place at La Milonga del SanTito, the restaurant in Peru where they first met in person. By February 2024, on 90 Day Diaries, Ben disclosed that he and Mahogany had already married in a civil ceremony months earlier.

While their relationship developments kept them in the spotlight, Ben also faced legal and personal challenges outside of the show. In 2020, he was arrested for DUI and driving with a suspended license, resulting in probation. In 2022, a bench warrant was issued when he missed a probation hearing, which he later resolved by turning himself in. That same year, he was accused of financial misconduct during his time at the Michigan Lupus Foundation, allegations he acknowledged publicly.

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As his public life continued, health challenges emerged. In late 2024, Ben was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach adenocarcinoma. He passed away on May 19, 2025, at his parents’ home in Greencastle, Indiana, with his wife Mahogany and family by his side. His death was first shared by his ex‑wife, Lisa Perry Rathbun, on Facebook, and Mahogany later honored him in a post describing him as a faithful Christian and “angel in real person.” Fellow 90 Day Fiancé cast members also shared condolences, recognizing his persistence and devotion to faith.