ARNHEM, Netherlands — Ben Saunders, the singer who became the first winner of the television franchise The Voice, has been found dead in a recreational lake in the Netherlands. He was 43.
Saunders’ body was recovered from the Rijkerswoerdse Plassen, near Arnhem, at about 1:20 p.m. on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, according to Dutch media reports.
The East Netherlands Police Unit confirmed that a body had been recovered from the lake and said investigators had ruled out foul play.
The authorities did not publicly identify the person, citing privacy restrictions, but Saunders’ family subsequently announced his death.
A cause of death has not been disclosed, according to the Dutch public broadcaster NOS.
“We can confirm that a body was found yesterday at a recreational lake of Arnhem and that police have ruled out foul play,” the police unit said in a statement provided to People.
Brother Pays Tribute
Saunders’ brother, Dean Saunders, confirmed the singer’s death in a social media post accompanied by an old photograph of the siblings.
“My dear little brother passed away today… I have never felt pain like this before,” Dean wrote in a message translated from Dutch.
He asked that the family’s loss be treated respectfully and said his brother would remain in his heart.
A separate tribute posted through the brothers’ Tattoo Saunders business account said: “Rest in peace my little brother.”
Marco Borsato, who coached Saunders on The Voice of Holland, also mourned the singer on social media.
He shared footage of Saunders performing “Dochters,” one of Borsato’s songs, and offered condolences to Saunders’ fiancée, Janita, as well as his friends and family.
First Winner of The Voice
Saunders rose to national prominence in 2011 when he won the inaugural season of The Voice of Holland, the Dutch television competition that became the model for the global Voice franchise.
The programme premiered in the Netherlands in 2010 and introduced the now-familiar format in which celebrity coaches select contestants during blind auditions.
The format subsequently expanded around the world. ITV Studios said in 2023 that The Voice and its spin-offs had received more than 150 international commissions since the original Dutch programme premiered.
The franchise has included The Voice Kids, The Voice Senior, The Voice Teens, and other adaptations.
Saunders’ victory came during an unusually successful period for his family. One day after he won The Voice of Holland, Dean won the Dutch edition of Popstars.
Saunders later participated in the Dutch talent programme Avastars in 2023.
He had also worked in the tattoo business and had recently moved to Arnhem, according to Dutch media.
