“Top Chef Masters” alum Naomi Pomeroy’s body was found nearly four days after she died in a freak tubing accident.
Pomeroy’s “deceased body” was discovered in the Willamette River in Hyak Park, Ore. on Wednesday at about 10 a.m., the Benton County Sheriff’s Office announced in a press release Tuesday.
“People canoeing on the river spotted a body and called 911,” local law enforcement said in the statement.
JD Vance claps back at Jennifer Aniston for dragging his daughter, 2, into 'childless cat ladies' drama
Rod Stewart, 79, says he’s aware his ‘days are numbered’: ‘We have all got to pass’
Serena Williams' husband, Alexis Ohanian, called her 'umbrella holder' in on-air flub at opening ceremony
Marine deputies quickly came to the scene and located Pomeroy on a “shallow section of bedrock near the middle of the river with about one to two feet of water.”
“Deputies released Naomi to a funeral home and notified her family of the recovery,” the authorities said.
Pomeroy had been missing since Saturday after a day of tubing in Corvallis, Ore. with her husband, Kyle Linden Webster, and a third person went horribly wrong.
The restaurateur had a paddle board attached to herself when it became entangled on an “exposed snag in the water,” the police department shared Tuesday.
“One of the adults, Naomi, was pulled under the water and unable to free herself due to the paddleboard leash,” the cops said.
BCSO said Pomeroy was the first drowning victim of the year. She was 49.
The late chef was known for opening her acclaimed 24-seat Portland, Ore. restaurant, Beast, which had communal tables and offered six-course, prix fixe meals and brunch.
Pomeroy shuttered the doors to the beloved establishment in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
That didn’t stop her from pursuing other ventures, as she announced the opening of a frozen custard shop, Cornet Custard, this past May. She also recently launched a dinner party series called “Garden Party,” according to her Instagram.
Pomeroy competed on “Iron Chef” in 2010 and “Top Chef Masters” the following year. She also served as a guest judge on shows like “Knife Fight,” “Top Chef” and “Bobby’s Triple Threat.”
The TV personality was highly decorated and received a James Beard Award for best chef Northwest in 2014.
She was also named one of America’s top 10 best new chefs by Food & Wine magazine and one of the 18 most powerful women in business by Marie Claire.
