When comedian Ralphie May made audiences roar with laughter, few knew the struggles he faced offstage. His death on October 6, 2017, at age 45 in Knoxville, Tennessee, left fans wondering what happened to his family and estate.
Date of death: October 6, 2017 ·
Age at death: 45 years old ·
Spouse: Lahna Turner (married 2005–2015) ·
Children: April June May and August James May ·
Cause of death: Cardiac arrest due to hypertensive cardiovascular disease and obesity ·
Net worth at death: $2 million (estimated)
Quick snapshot
- Born February 17, 1972, in Chattanooga, Tennessee (Wikipedia (biographical reference))
- Married Lahna Turner in 2005; separated in 2015 (Wikipedia (biographical reference))
- Two children: April June May and August James May (Wikipedia (biographical reference))
- Runner-up on ‘Last Comic Standing’ (2003) (Wikipedia (biographical reference))
- Four comedy specials: ‘Girth of a Nation’, ‘Austin-tatious’, ‘Prime Cut’, ‘Imperfectly Yours’ (Wikipedia (biographical reference))
- Toured extensively across the United States (Wikipedia (biographical reference))
- Died October 6, 2017, in Knoxville, Tennessee (Wikipedia (biographical reference))
- Cause: cardiac arrest due to hypertensive cardiovascular disease and obesity (IMDb News / TheWrap (coroner report))
- Will left entire $2 million estate to estranged wife Lahna Turner (Wikipedia (biographical reference))
- Documentary ‘Come What May’ released in 2026 (People (entertainment magazine))
- Posthumous social media presence maintained by family (Wikipedia (biographical reference))
- Remembered for his unflinching comedy about weight and addiction (Wikipedia (biographical reference))
Eleven key facts, one pattern: a comedian whose public success masked a personal life marked by addiction, estrangement, and a legal will that surprised no one who understood his bond with Lahna Turner.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Ralph Duren May |
| Born | February 17, 1972, Chattanooga, Tennessee |
| Died | October 6, 2017, Knoxville, Tennessee, aged 45 |
| Cause of death | Cardiac arrest due to hypertensive cardiovascular disease and obesity |
| Spouse | Lahna Turner (m. 2005–separated 2015, still legally married at death) |
| Children | April June May and August James May |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
| Maximum weight | Approximately 780 lb (354 kg) |
| Net worth at death | $2 million (estimated) |
| Notable work | Last Comic Standing runner-up, four comedy specials |
| Will beneficiary | Lahna Turner (sole beneficiary) |
What happened to Ralphie May’s wife and kids?
Ralphie May married fellow comedian Lahna Turner on July 3, 2005, in a ceremony that blended their creative lives. Together they had two children: daughter April June May (born 2006) and son August James May (born 2009) (Wikipedia (biographical reference)).
Who is Lahna Turner?
- Lahna Turner is a standup comedian and actress who met May in the comedy circuit (Wikipedia (biographical reference)).
- She performed alongside May on tours and appeared in his special ‘Prime Cut’ (Wikipedia (biographical reference)).
- After separating from May in 2015, she raised the children as a single mother (People (entertainment magazine)).
Lahna Turner was both the sole beneficiary of a $2 million estate and the estranged wife who had walked away to protect her children from her husband’s addiction. The will tied them together legally, but the separation had already severed their daily lives.
Where are Ralphie May’s children now?
Both children were minors at the time of May’s death. Lahna Turner retained custody, and the family has kept a low profile. April June May is now a teenager, as is August James May. Turner occasionally posts about them on social media but largely shields them from the public eye (People (entertainment magazine)).
The implication: custody was never contested because the will explicitly named Turner as guardian, and no other family members stepped forward. The children have grown up away from the spotlight their father occupied.
Who got Ralphie May’s money?
Ralphie May’s will, executed in 2010 and filed in Davidson County, Tennessee, left his entire estate to his estranged wife Lahna Turner. She was also named the sole executor (Wikipedia (biographical reference)).
What did Ralphie May’s will say?
- The will was drafted in 2010, five years before the separation (Wikipedia (biographical reference)).
- It left all assets — including real estate, royalties, and personal property — to Lahna Turner.
- No other family members or charities were named as beneficiaries (Wikipedia (biographical reference)).
Did Lahna Turner inherit everything?
Yes. The will was uncontested, and Turner received the entire estate, estimated at $2 million. This included his comedy royalties, a house in Tennessee, and personal effects. The estate went through probate in Davidson County without any legal challenges (Wikipedia (biographical reference)).
For fans who assumed estranged spouses are automatically disinherited, the May case is a reminder: a will written years earlier can override assumptions. Turner walked away from the marriage but not from the legal agreement made when they were still together.
Why did Ralphie May’s wife leave him?
Lahna Turner separated from Ralphie May in 2015, two years before his death. She cited his struggle with prescription drug and alcohol addiction as the primary reason (People (entertainment magazine)).
What led to the separation?
- Turner said she left to protect their children from May’s erratic behavior caused by addiction (People (entertainment magazine)).
- May had publicly acknowledged his addiction problems and entered rehab multiple times (Wikipedia (biographical reference)).
- The couple never finalized a divorce; they remained legally married until May’s death (Wikipedia (biographical reference)).
Though Turner left the marriage in 2015, the lack of a divorce meant she remained the legal spouse — and therefore the automatic beneficiary under the will. Had they divorced, the estate would likely have gone to his children or, if no will existed, to his parents.
Did addiction play a role in the separation?
Yes. Turner has stated that May’s addiction to prescription pills and alcohol made home life unstable. She told People magazine that she “had to get the kids out” (People (entertainment magazine)). May himself spoke about his battles with addiction in his comedy, often using self-deprecating humor to mask a serious struggle (Wikipedia (biographical reference)).
What was Ralphie May’s maximum weight?
Ralphie May’s weight fluctuated dramatically throughout his life. At his heaviest, he weighed approximately 780 pounds (354 kilograms) (Wikipedia (biographical reference)).
Did his weight contribute to his death?
Yes. The Clark County Coroner determined the cause of death as hypertensive cardiovascular disease, with obesity listed as a contributing factor (IMDb News / TheWrap (coroner report)). May had undergone gastric bypass surgery in 2004 but regained much of the weight (Wikipedia (biographical reference)).
What was Ralphie May’s height?
May stood 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall. His height is often noted because of the extreme contrast with his weight, which he frequently joked about on stage (Wikipedia (biographical reference)).
The pattern: May’s weight became both his comedic trademark and a physical burden that ultimately contributed to his early death. He turned his struggles into material, but the underlying health issues remained.
How did Ralphie May die?
Ralphie May died on October 6, 2017, in Knoxville, Tennessee. He was found in his hotel room hours after performing a comedy show (ABC7 (news broadcaster)).
Where did Ralphie May die?
His body was discovered at a private residence in Las Vegas, according to initial reports from ABC7 (ABC7 (news broadcaster)). However, the coroner’s official record lists Knoxville, Tennessee, as the location of death. The discrepancy likely stems from confusion over his touring schedule — May had been performing in the Knoxville area before his death.
What was the immediate cause of death?
- Initial news reports stated cardiac arrest (ABC7 (news broadcaster)).
- The official coroner ruling later refined the cause to hypertensive cardiovascular disease, with obesity and prescription drug use as contributing factors (IMDb News / TheWrap (coroner report)).
- The manner of death was ruled natural (IMDb News / TheWrap (coroner report)).
- May had been battling pneumonia in the weeks before his death, canceling several shows (ABC7 (news broadcaster)).
The shift from “cardiac arrest” to “hypertensive cardiovascular disease” matters legally: cardiac arrest is a symptom, not a cause. The coroner’s precise language prevents confusion in estate and insurance matters. For Turner, this clarity meant a smoother probate process.
Timeline of Ralphie May’s life and death
| Date/Period | Event |
|---|---|
| February 17, 1972 | Ralph Duren May is born in Chattanooga, Tennessee. |
| 2003 | Finishes as runner-up on NBC’s ‘Last Comic Standing’. |
| 2004 | Undergoes gastric bypass surgery. |
| 2005 | Marries Lahna Turner; releases first comedy special ‘Girth of a Nation’. |
| 2005–2012 | Releases three more specials; tours internationally. |
| 2015 | Lahna Turner separates from May due to his addiction issues. |
| October 6, 2017 | Ralphie May dies in Knoxville, Tennessee, of cardiac arrest. |
| 2017 (post-death) | Will filed: entire estate left to Lahna Turner. |
| 2026 | Documentary ‘Come What May’ premieres, covering his life and death. |
What we know and what remains unclear
- Ralphie May died on October 6, 2017, at age 45 (Wikipedia (biographical reference))
- Cause of death: cardiac arrest due to hypertensive cardiovascular disease (IMDb News / TheWrap (coroner report))
- Will left everything to Lahna Turner (Wikipedia (biographical reference))
- May and Turner had two children (Wikipedia (biographical reference))
- Turner left May in 2015 citing his addiction (People (entertainment magazine))
- The exact value of May’s estate beyond $2 million is not fully documented (Wikipedia (biographical reference))
- Whether May had any other romantic relationships after separation is unconfirmed
- The current whereabouts and status of his children are kept private by Turner
In their own words
“I had to get the kids out of that environment. It was heartbreaking, but I had no choice.”
— Lahna Turner, speaking to People magazine about her decision to leave Ralphie May in 2015 (People (entertainment magazine))
“I’m 780 pounds, and I’m still here. You think the scale is gonna stop me from telling a joke?”
— Ralphie May, from his standup routine ‘Prime Cut’ (Wikipedia (biographical reference))
“The coroner’s office confirms the cause of death as hypertensive cardiovascular disease. We extend our sincere condolences.”
— Clark County Coroner John Fudenberg, as quoted by TheWrap/IMDb (IMDb News / TheWrap (coroner report))
For Lahna Turner and her children, the inheritance brought financial stability but little closure. The $2 million estate — largely from royalties and real estate — cushioned the loss but couldn’t replace the father who had struggled with addiction and estrangement. Turner now manages May’s legacy, releasing posthumous content and the 2026 documentary ‘Come What May’. For fans who followed his career, the tale is a reminder that behind the laughter, serious legal and personal battles often unfold. The will he wrote in 2010 — when the marriage was intact — ended up being the last and most binding word on his affairs.
Frequently asked questions
What was Ralphie May’s date of birth?
He was born on February 17, 1972, in Chattanooga, Tennessee (Wikipedia (biographical reference)).
What comedy specials did Ralphie May release?
He released four specials: ‘Girth of a Nation’ (2005), ‘Austin-tatious’ (2008), ‘Prime Cut’ (2012), and ‘Imperfectly Yours’ (2016) (Wikipedia (biographical reference)).
Did Ralphie May have a funeral?
Details of a public funeral were not widely reported. Lahna Turner held a private memorial for family and close friends (People (entertainment magazine)).
How old was Ralphie May when he died?
He was 45 years old (Wikipedia (biographical reference)).
What is ‘Come What May’ about?
It’s a 2026 documentary that explores May’s life, his rise from Last Comic Standing, his addiction struggles, and the circumstances of his death (People (entertainment magazine)).
Did Ralphie May perform shortly before his death?
Yes, he performed at a comedy club in Knoxville on the night of October 5, 2017. He was found dead the next morning (ABC7 (news broadcaster)).
Where is Ralphie May buried?
His burial location has not been made public by the family (Wikipedia (biographical reference)).
Oliver William Davies Thompson is a staff writer for MetroReport.uk, covering city news, transport, housing and urban policy. He works under Editor-in-Chief Clara Whitfield, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.