The Voice’s First-Ever Winner, Ben Saunders, Found Dead in a Lake at 43

Before finding success on The Voice of Holland, Ben competed on the RTL 4 talent program Alles voor de band: Follow that dream in 2000, joining the Dutch pop band Follow That Dream, which was formed from the series. He and Dean were both members of the group, although they ultimately split in 2001. 

After winning the first iteration of The Voice in 2011, Ben released his album You Thought You Knew Me By Now in 2011 and Heart & Soul the following year. 

Following his musical success, Ben opened up a tattoo parlor with Dean called Tattoo Saunders. 

The shop also shared a remembrance of Ben, posting on Instagram Sept. 15, “Rest in peace my little brother. Ben Saunders will never be forgotten.”