Naomi Pomeroy, widely recognised for her culinary skills on Top Chef, has tragically passed away.
The Portland chef’s body was found in a river on 17 July, after she had been reported missing just days earlier. The Benton County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that she died from drowning.
The investigation showed that Pomeroy, her husband Kyle Linden Webster, and a friend became entangled while on tubes and a paddleboard that were connected.
Members of the Corvallis Fire Rescue rescued the other two adults on shore and transported them safely to a pier. Unfortunately, they were initially unable to recover Pomeroy, according to the sheriff’s office.
At the time of her disappearance, Sheriff Van Arsdall stated, ‘This office is dedicated to locating Naomi and bringing her home to her family and loved ones.
Her body was located after being spotted by a group of canoeists. According to authorities, she was unable to free herself because of the leash on the paddleboard.
Pomeroy was a prominent figure in the Oregon culinary scene. She made a name for herself in Portland after opening her first restaurant, Beast, in 2007. Two years later, she was recognised as one of Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs.
Naomi Pomeroy, star of ‘Top Chef’, found dead at 49 in a river, days after going missing