Naomi Pomeroy, a beloved chef and star of the TV show “Top Chef,” was tragically found dead in a river days after she went missing. The 49-year-old Portland chef’s body was discovered on July 17, bringing an end to the search for her.

According to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Naomi drowned after a tubing accident. The investigation revealed that Naomi, her husband Kyle Linden Webster, and a friend got tangled up on connected tubes and a paddleboard.

The details of the report are heart-wrenching. Naomi was unable to free herself because of the paddleboard leash and was pushed beneath the water when the group encountered an exposed snag. While Webster and their friend were rescued by the Corvallis Fire Department, Naomi’s body was not found right away.

It was only during the search that Naomi’s lifeless body was spotted in the Willamette River, 0.5 miles upstream of Hyak Park, by canoeists. The sheriff’s office confirmed that the body belonged to Naomi, the talented self-taught chef who gained fame after opening the widely acclaimed Beast restaurant in Portland in 2007.

Naomi had also appeared as a guest judge on multiple seasons of “Top Chef” and had made appearances on other culinary shows like “Iron Chef” and “Top Chef Masters.” Her passing has left a lasting impact on the food industry and the hearts of many.

Our thoughts and condolences go out to Chef Naomi Pomeroy’s family and friends during this difficult time. She will truly be missed.