Award-Winning Top Chef Masters Alum Naomi Pomeroy Dies Aged 49 After Drowning Accident

Unfortunately, there is some devastating news coming out of the Top Chef world. Naomi Pomeroy , who competed on Season 3 of Top Chef Masters , has sadly passed away at the age of 49. The Portland-based chef drowned in a river during a float trip with family and friends, and after several days of searching, authorities have finally recovered her remains.

Rest in Peace, Chef Naomi

Us Weekly reported the details of what exactly went wrong during Naomi’s July 13 float trip. The Benton County Sheriff’s Office responded to the incident and said that Naomi was attached to a paddleboard while floating down the Willamette River in Corvallis, Oregon. She was joined by her husband and a third person who were tied together on two tubes.

According to the sheriff’s report, the trio hit a rough current, causing Naomi to get pulled under the water . She wasn’t able to free herself from the paddleboard leash.

When the authorities arrived, they located Naomi’s group safe and sound on shore. Naomi’s body was nowhere to be found, prompting a four-day search mission. On July 17, Oregon Live confirmed that her body had been recovered between Corvallis and Albany, Oregon. The update closed a painful chapter for Naomi’s loved ones.

With several weeks left in the summer, there are plenty of us who have float trips still on the calendar. Therefore, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office shared tips some tips to prevent more accidental deaths on the river. They suggested that paddleboarders shouldn’t tie themselves to the board without using a “quick-release leash.” The cops also warned not to “tie two or more inner tubes together” and most importantly, wear a life jacket.

TELL US – DO YOU REMEMBER WATCHING CHEF NAOMI ON TOP CHEF? DO YOU HAVE ANY WORDS OF SUPPORT FOR HER LOVED ONES DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME?

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