The family behind 1000-Lb. Sisters is facing heartbreaking news.

This week, Amanda Halterman — sister to Tammy and Amy Slaton — shared on Instagram that their beloved cousin, Katie Slaton, has passed away after a difficult battle with cancer.

She was only 37, leaving loved ones devastated by her loss.

Died on Monday
Katie Slaton, the cousin of stars Amy and Tammy Slaton, has passed away after a courageous fight with cancer. She appeared on season five of the TLC series, following Tammy’s release from a weight loss rehab center, and quickly became a fan favorite for her warm personality and close bond with the sisters.

Earlier this year, Katie was diagnosed with stage four gastric adenocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of stomach cancer. She underwent chemotherapy in the months that followed, but sadly, she died on Monday, August 25, at Linda White Hospice House in Evansville, Indiana.

On Tuesday, her cousin Amanda Halterman — who is also Amy and Tammy’s sister — shared the heartbreaking news on Instagram. Posting a photo of herself with Katie, Amanda wrote:

“It is with a completely crushed heart and spirit that I have to post this. My little cousin went to sit at the feet of Jesus yesterday. She was a force to be reckoned with and showed love that was accepting and given freely. She was the life of the party and my best friend.”

She continued:

“Please pray for everyone who loves her. Thank you all who has come out and supported her. #cancerscks.”

Amanda added another emotional tribute, writing:

“I know both our grandparents and friends was there to welcome you home. Please pray for my aunt, uncle and cousins but mostly for the babies and for Natalie to be strong. Please pray for everyone who loves her. 💔 Thank you all who has come out and supported her. #cancerscks.”

Have not yet spoken publicly
Tammy and Amy have not yet spoken publicly about Katie’s passing, but earlier this year Tammy reached out to fans for support. In January, she shared a GoFundMe page for Katie’s treatment, writing:

“Y’all I’m so sorry to be asking a big favor like this but if anyone can help, even if it’s a dollar would help my cousin out so much. She has been on my show but this is something new. Our family just found out about her having cancer.

Our fans have been there for us for so long now and y’all mean the world so any act of kindness is and will be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much and before anyone asks, yes I’ve donated myself.”

Born on September 17, 1987, in Morganfield, Kentucky, she was the daughter of Jerry and Frances Slaton. Katie loved spending time outdoors fishing, listening to music, and being surrounded by her family and friends.

Katie’s passing has left her family, friends, and fans heartbroken. Loved ones are remembering her as a light in their lives — someone whose energy and love touched everyone around her.

11,000 lives this year
The American Cancer Society projects that in 2025, more than 30,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with stomach cancer. Of those cases, roughly 18,000 will be men and about 12,000 will be women.

Sadly, the disease is expected to claim nearly 11,000 lives this year, with men facing a slightly higher risk than women.

While stomach cancer makes up only around 1.5 percent of all new cancer cases in the country, its impact on patients and families is devastating.

The symptoms
According to the Mayo Clinic, stomach cancer can be difficult to detect because it often doesn’t cause obvious symptoms in its early stages. In many cases, signs don’t appear until the disease has already progressed.

Still, there are warning signals to pay attention to — many of which affect appetite, digestion, and overall energy.

Some of the symptoms include:

Trouble swallowing
Ongoing indigestion or stomach discomfort
Frequent heartburn
Nausea or vomiting
Pain or pressure in the abdomen
Bloating after meals
Feeling full quickly, even after eating only a little
Loss of appetite
Unexplained weight loss
Extreme fatigue or weakness
Black, tar-like stools (which can signal internal bleeding)
If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to talk with your doctor. Catching cancer early can make a huge difference.