'Top Chef Masters' contestant Naomi Pomeroy dead at 49 after inner tube accident

"Top Chef Masters" contestant Naomi Pomeroy has died at age 49.

Pomeroy’s family confirmed to Portland Monthly that she drowned in a river accident while inner tubing in the Willamette River with her husband, Kyle Linden Webster, on July 13.

The family told the outlet that their flotilla flipped after hitting a snag, and Webster made it to shore, but Pomeroy did not.

Search and rescue were deployed, but her body was not found until July 17.

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Naomi Pomeroy, a chef and contestant and judge on "Top Chef Masters," has died at age 49 in a drowning accident. (Nicole Wilder/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)

The Benton County Sheriff's Office confirmed the news on their official Facebook page Thursday morning, writing "This morning, July 17, 2024, at about 10:00 am, the deceased body of Naomi Pomeroy was located on the Willamette River about a half mile upstream of Hyak Park between Corvallis and Albany."

They continued, noting that people canoeing in the river spotted a body and called 9-1-1. "BCSO marine deputies arrived shortly after, located a deceased female on a shallow section of bedrock near the middle of the river with about one to two feet of water," the statement continued.

It concluded, "Deputies released Naomi to a funeral home and notified her family of the recovery."

The Benton County Sheriff's Office previously confirmed the news about Pomeroy's death, writing about "search efforts for their first drowning victim of the year, 49-year-old Naomi Pomeroy, of Portland, OR."

"An investigation by BCSO determined three floaters on tubes and a paddle board, secured together, were caught on an exposed snag in the water. One of the floaters, Naomi, was pulled under the water and held by the paddle board leash," the post continued.

The Corvallis Fire Department was first on the scene, but they were unable to find her with a boat. The Benton County Sheriff’s Office quickly joined the search downriver, both on land and in the water.

"BCSO deputies searched the area using all available tools, including sonar, underwater cameras, and drones, but were unable to locate any signs of Naomi in the area due to heavy debris," their statement continued. "After all usable daylight diminished, search efforts were suspended due to boat safety and dive teams not being able to respond or deploy due to conditions."

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Naomi Pomeory's death by drowning and noted recovery efforts for her body are still underway. (David Buchan/Variety/Penske Media via Getty Images)

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 "A BCSO boat has been on the water every day since Saturday to recover Naomi and plans to continue the search. BCSO will continue to re-assess the recovery mission daily," they noted, and asked that the public keep an eye out for Pomeroy’s body, but do not attempt any recovery efforts.

"I am dedicated to locating Naomi to bring her home to her family and loved ones", said Sheriff Jef Van Arsdall in the statement. "I want to thank all involved in the search and recovery mission and support during this difficult time."

Pomeroy was a self-taught cook who made a name for herself with her acclaimed Portland restaurant, Beast, in 2007, with business partner Micah Camden and sous chef Mika Paredes.

Beast won The Oregonian’s Restaurant of the Year in 2008, and she was named one of Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs in 2009. 

Naomi Pomeroy received her Food & Wine Best New Chefs honor in 2009. (CHANCE YEH /Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

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In 2013, Pomeroy and Webster opened the cocktail bar Expatriate in Portland, and the next year, she won a James Beard award.

Pomeroy appeared on "Iron Chef" in 2010 and later competed on the third season of "Top Chef Masters" on Bravo.

She also appeared as a guest judge on "Top Chef" in seasons 10, 15 and 18.

"Top Chef" released a statement about her death on X, reading, "The Bravo and Top Chef family send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Chef Naomi Pomeroy. Naomi was a powerhouse chef who made an indelible mark on the culinary industry."

Naomi Pomeroy appeared as a guest judge on several episodes of "Top Chef" alongside host Padma Lakshmi, left. (David Moir/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)

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In May, Pomeroy opened an ice cream shop named Cornet Custard.

She was also planning a summer dining experience, called Garden Party, with limited seating that would feature produce grown in her home garden.