Former ‘Extreme Weight Loss’ Contestant Rod Durham Dead at 52

Former Extreme Weight Loss contestant Rod Durham has passed away at the age of 52.

The Tallahassee, Florida-based high school drama teacher was found dead in his hotel room over the weekend in Fort Lauderdale. He was vacationing there during his school's spring break.

The cause of death has not yet been determined.

Durham made an amazing transformation when he competed on ABC's Extreme Weight Loss in 2014. He started the show weighing roughly 450 lbs and would go on to lose more than 180 lbs during the show.

"Heaven just got a lot brighter today when Rod entered the pearly gates," Extreme Weight Loss trainer Heidi Powell wrote on Instagram Monday.

"Rod, you will be missed terribly. Everything from your kindness, to your warm smile and bear hugs, to your friendship, to you extraordinary ability to make ANYONE (including me) feel special. YOU are special. And will never be forgotten."