Ben Saunders , the first winner of The Voice of Holland, was found dead at a lake in Elst, Netherlands, on September 15. Saunders was 43, and Dutch police said a body was recovered from Rijkerswoerdse Plassen at 1:20 p.m. local time. Authorities confirmed the death on September 16 and said police had ruled out foul play. Officials have not shared a cause of death, and personal details remain private while the investigation continues. A Family Says Goodbye Saunders’ brother, Dean Saunders , confirmed the loss on Instagram with an emotional tribute to his younger brother. Dean wrote that he had never felt pain like this before and said Ben’s music, family, and memory would remain with him forever. Ben Saunders first appeared on the Dutch talent program Alles voor de band: Follow that dream in 2000, where he joined the band Follow That Dream alongside Dean. After winning The Voice of Holland in 2011, Saunders released the albums You Thought You Knew Me By Now and Heart & Soul, then opened the Tattoo Saunders shop with Dean. The business also remembered him online, writing that Ben would never be forgotten.