A world-famous chef and TV star has died in a horrific pipe accident in the United States.
Shelley Duvall, one of Hollywood’s rising stars, died in her sleep from complications from diabetes. Duvall’s most famous role was as Jack Nicholson’s wife in The Shining. The film turned her into a screen icon. In 2002, Duvall retreated from Hollywood and became a recluse.
Pomeroy, 49, was swimming with her husband, Kyle Linden Webster, and another person in the Willamette River near Corvallis, Oregon, when the group became stuck in an “exposed obstacle in the water,” according to a statement from the Benton County Sheriff’s Office Tuesday.
Officials said the beloved chef was then pulled underwater and became trapped by a paddle rope attached to her, causing her to drown.
Naomi Pomeroy died at the age of 49 after a freak tubing accident. Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
The trio reportedly tied their inner tubes and paddleboard together before the incident.
The Corvallis Fire Department has yet to recover Pomeroy’s body while Webster and the third person were rescued on shore – about 60 miles outside Portland.
“I am committed to finding Naomi and returning her home to her family and loved ones,” Sheriff Van Arsdal said.
Rescuers combed parts of the 300-kilometre (186-mile) river using sonar, underwater cameras and drones, but heavy debris made the search difficult, officials said.
The trio reportedly tied their inner tubes and paddleboard together before the accident. Photo: KGW8
Pomeroy became a prominent figure in Portland’s culinary scene after opening the popular farm-to-table restaurant Beast in 2007.
Pomeroy won the coveted James Beard Award, given to the best female chef in the Northwest, in 2014 after the success of her successful restaurant.
The self-taught chef closed Beast in May 2020, but renamed the location Ripe Cooperative shortly after. However, due to the high costs of running the restaurant, she was forced to close it in October 2022.
Pomeroy is best known for her appearances on Bravo’s cooking show. Top Professional Chefs In 2011.
The celebrity chef finished fourth on the show’s third season, in which Pomeroy took home a $26,800 prize.
appeared later top chefs As a guest judge and dinner guest.
Pomeroy is best known for starring on Top Chef Masters. Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for New York Culinary Experience
In recent years, Pomroy has become a partner with her husband in owning the Portland cocktail bar Expatriate.
The chef has also opened a new small restaurant in the northwestern city, according to Oregonian.
U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, representing Oregon’s 3rd congressional district, called the news of her death “tragic.”
“Naomi was not only an amazing chef and entrepreneur, she was an amazing human being,” Blumenauer said, according to the newspaper.
“Her impact went far beyond Portland, as she helped establish our leadership and reputation for food excellence. She will be greatly missed.”
Her co-workers have since expressed their grief over her death on social media.
peer Top Professional Chefs Contestant and author Mary Sue Milliken also shared a heartbreaking post after learning of Pomeroy’s sudden death.
“I was saddened to hear that we have tragically lost our incredibly talented chef Naomi Pomroy. I bonded with her through the grueling cooking challenges of Season 3 of Top Chef Masters… My heart goes out to Kyle, August and all of her dear friends,” she said. Posted on X Tuesday.
On July 12, officials found a 13-year-old boy from the Willamette River after a three-day search, according to KOIN.
The teenager was playing in the water when he disappeared.
This story originally appeared in the New York Post and is republished with permission.
