In a remarkable episode of TLC’s “My Strange Addiction” that captivated audiences nationwide, a 26-year-old Tennessee woman named Casie revealed her unprecedented story of consuming her deceased husband’s cremated remains, a practice that led to a dramatic 42-pound weight loss over just two months.
The 2011 episode documented Casie’s extraordinary behavior following the death of her husband Sean, who tragically succumbed to an asthma attack just two and a half years after the couple first met. Their whirlwind romance had culminated in marriage in 2009, only to be cut short by his untimely passing.
“I take my husband everywhere,” Casie declared during the episode, describing her daily routines. “To the grocery store, shopping, to the movies, out to eat, anywhere I go he goes.”
This devotion extended beyond merely carrying the ashes, as she maintained other rituals to honor his memory. “Every time I go to the grocery store I buy the food that he likes, when I cook I buy the food that he likes, I don’t eat it but I cook for him.”
The situation took an unexpected turn when some ashes accidentally spilled during handling. “I guess with the transfer of his cremains some got into the cardboard box as well and that spilled out on my hands,”
Casie recounted. “I didn’t want to wipe him off, that’s my husband. I didn’t want to wipe him away so I just licked him off my fingers.”
This seemingly innocent incident sparked a compulsion that would dramatically alter her daily life.
What began as a moment of impulse evolved into a regular practice, with Casie consuming the ashes five to six times daily. She developed a specific routine for the consumption, explaining in detail:
“First I lick my finger and I don’t just dip it in, I swirl around to get it caked on there good and then I just eat it.”
Despite the unusual taste, which she described as reminiscent of “rotten eggs, sand and sandpaper,” Casie admitted to developing a preference for it over time.
The impact on her physical health became increasingly apparent as she abandoned regular meals in favor of the ashes. “I’ve lost 42 pounds since my husband passed away, basically the only thing I’m eating are his ashes,” she revealed during the episode.
The emotional complexity of her situation was evident in her conflicting feelings about the practice. “When I open up the urn I get a sense of happiness, it’s like an adrenaline rush for me and the more I eat the more excited I get until I realise there’s not a lot left,” she shared.
However, these moments of excitement were often followed by profound regret. “Then a few minutes later I feel horrible because I did it. It makes me feel embarrassed, ashamed, disgusted with myself, confused, crazy.”
As the urn’s contents continued to diminish, Casie faced the looming reality of having to stop the practice.
The prospect of “losing him again” created additional anxiety, though she acknowledged the inevitability of the situation. Her story garnered significant attention from viewers and media outlets, highlighting the unusual ways people cope with loss.
The episode sparked discussions across the country, with many viewers expressing both sympathy and concern for Casie’s situation. The unprecedented nature of her story made it one of the most memorable episodes in the series’ history.
Editor’s Note: This article is based on content that appeared in TLC’s “My Strange Addiction” television series in 2011. All events and quotes are taken directly from the televised episode.