‘Top Chef’ star Naomi Pomeroy found dead at 49 in river, days after going missing

In a tragic turn of events, the search for the missing Top Chef star Naomi Pomeroy has come to an end. Her body was discovered in a river.

The body of the Portland chef was found on July 17, according to reports. This was several days after she had been reported missing following an accident that occurred while she was tubing.

The tragic statement released by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Naomi had passed away as a result of drowning. During the course of their investigation, it was discovered that three adults, Pomeroy, her husband Kyle Linden Webster, and a friend, became entangled while they were riding tubes and a paddleboard that were connected to one another.

The tragic details that are included in their report go on to say that Naomi was pulled underwater after the group came across a “exposed snag in the water,” and that she was subsequently unable to free herself because of the “paddleboard leash.”

The members of the Corvallis Fire Department were able to retrieve Webster and the friend who was at the shore, but the body of Pomeroy was not found right away, according to the sources.

Pomeroy’s body was discovered on the Willamette River approximately half a mile upstream of Hyak Park between the towns of Corvallis and Albany, according to an update provided by the sheriff’s office on July 17. The search was initiated, and the officer stated that the body was discovered on the river.

In the office, they described how individuals who were canoeing down the river had discovered a body that was later determined to be that of Naomi.

The self-taught chef, who was 49 years old at the time, rose to prominence in her field after opening the highly regarded restaurant beast in Portland in the year 2007.

Pomeroy was a guest judge on Top Chef in seasons 10, 15, and 18, in addition to her appearances on Iron Chef and Top Chef Masters. She also appeared on Iron Chef at the same time.

A statement was released by the show and its network, Bravo, in response to Pomeroy’s passing. The statement was published on X:

We would like to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Chef Naomi Pomeroy. Congratulations to the Bravo and Top Chef families! It is impossible to overstate the impact that Naomi had on the culinary industry. She was a formidable chef.

Do not be disturbed, Naomi Pomeroy.