British-born winner of The Voice of Holland is found dead in a Dutch lake aged 43 as heartbroken family pay tribute

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 05:04 EDT, 16 September 2026 | Updated: 05:15 EDT, 16 September 2026 A British-born singer who won The Voice of Holland has been found dead in a lake. The body of Ben Saunders, 43, was found on Tuesday afternoon in Rijkerswoerdse Plassen - a recreational lake in the city of Arnhem in the eastern part of the Netherlands. He had been reported missing earlier that day, and police launched a search for him after a man was seen entering the water and did not resurface, according to local reports.Police have not disclosed Saunders' cause of death, but have ruled out foul play. His family, who watched from the sidelines as his body was recovered from the water, have paid tribute to the singer. His heartbroken older brother Dean Saunders took to Instagram to honour him. 'My dear little brother passed away today... I have never experienced pain like what I am feeling right now.... what a terrible day for all of us,' he wrote. 'We have to learn to live with this and I hope this will be handled respectfully... Ben had a beautiful beautiful family and a family that loves him very much and always will .. Ben is in my heart and he will stay there forever.' The body of Ben Saunders, 43 (pictured), was found on Tuesday afternoon in Rijkerswoerdse Plassen - a recreational lake in the Netherlands The British-born singer had gone missing on Tuesday morning before his body was found during a police search The singer rose to prominence after winning The Voice of Holland competition in 2011Meanwhile, tributes from fans have flooded in for the singer. On Facebook, one fan said: 'I haven't really followed him since, but that season of The Voice...he won...was one of the best. I was glued to the screen. It is so incredibly sad for his family and friends that he is no longer with us. 'Wishing strength and courage to everyone who loved him.'Another wrote: 'Rest in peace, Ben. A sad end; wishing strength to everyone who loved him.' A third chimed in: '...It's terrible. Unimaginable. I wish his family, friends, and everyone who loved him lots of strength.'Just days before his death, Saunders had shared a final social media post showing him and his partner at a wedding. Saunders was born in London to British parents, and grew up in the Dutch city of Hoorn after moving there as a young child.He rose to prominence in 2011 after he won the first season of the Dutch television talent show The Voice of Holland. He had several albums throughout the years, and his single 'Kill for a Broken Heart' topped the Single Top 100.Saunders also ran a tattoo shop in Arnhem, where he worked as a tattoo artist.