Earlier this year, Katie was diagnosed with stage four gastric adenocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of stomach cancer. She underwent chemotherapy in the months that followed, but sadly, she died on Monday, August 25, at Linda White Hospice House in Evansville, Indiana.

On Tuesday, her cousin Amanda Halterman — who is also Amy and Tammy’s sister — shared the heartbreaking news on Instagram. Posting a photo of herself with Katie, Amanda wrote:

“It is with a completely crushed heart and spirit that I have to post this. My little cousin went to sit at the feet of Jesus yesterday. She was a force to be reckoned with and showed love that was accepting and given freely. She was the life of the party and my best friend.”

She continued:

“Please pray for everyone who loves her. Thank you all who has come out and supported her. #cancerscks.”

Amanda added another emotional tribute, writing:

“I know both our grandparents and friends was there to welcome you home. Please pray for my aunt, uncle and cousins but mostly for the babies and for Natalie to be strong. Please pray for everyone who loves her. 💔 Thank you all who has come out and supported her. #cancerscks.”

Have not yet spoken publicly

Tammy and Amy have not yet spoken publicly about Katie’s passing, but earlier this year Tammy reached out to fans for support. In January, she shared a GoFundMe page for Katie’s treatment, writing:

“Y’all I’m so sorry to be asking a big favor like this but if anyone can help, even if it’s a dollar would help my cousin out so much. She has been on my show but this is something new. Our family just found out about her having cancer.

Our fans have been there for us for so long now and y’all mean the world so any act of kindness is and will be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much and before anyone asks, yes I’ve donated myself.”

Born on September 17, 1987, in Morganfield, Kentucky, she was the daughter of Jerry and Frances Slaton. Katie loved spending time outdoors fishing, listening to music, and being surrounded by her family and friends.

Katie’s passing has left her family, friends, and fans heartbroken. Loved ones are remembering her as a light in their lives — someone whose energy and love touched everyone around her.

11,000 lives this year

The American Cancer Society projects that in 2025, more than 30,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with stomach cancer. Of those cases, roughly 18,000 will be men and about 12,000 will be women.

Sadly, the disease is expected to claim nearly 11,000 lives this year, with men facing a slightly higher risk than women.

While stomach cancer makes up only around 1.5 percent of all new cancer cases in the country, its impact on patients and families is devastating.

The symptoms

According to the Mayo Clinic, stomach cancer can be difficult to detect because it often doesn’t cause obvious symptoms in its early stages. In many cases, signs don’t appear until the disease has already progressed.

Still, there are warning signals to pay attention to — many of which affect appetite, digestion, and overall energy.

Some of the symptoms include:

• Trouble swallowing
• Ongoing indigestion or stomach discomfort
• Frequent heartburn
• Nausea or vomiting
• Pain or pressure in the abdomen
• Bloating after meals
• Feeling full quickly, even after eating only a little
• Loss of appetite
• Unexplained weight loss
• Extreme fatigue or weakness
• Black, tar-like stools (which can signal internal bleeding)

If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to talk with your doctor. Catching cancer early can make a huge difference.