Body of ‘Top Chef’ alum Naomi Pomeroy recovered from Oregon river after tubing accident

Body of 'Top Chef' alum Naomi Pomeroy recovered from Oregon river after tubing accident

I am deeply saddened by the tragic news of Naomi Pomeroy‘s passing. As a huge fan of her culinary skills and tenacity, it is heartbreaking to learn that the talented chef and “Top Chef” alum has lost her life in such a tragic way.


Authorities confirmed on Wednesday that the body of Naomi Pomeroy, a renowned chef and former contestant on “Top Chef,” was found in a western Oregon river.

On Wednesday morning, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office announced that they found Pomeroy’s body approximately 0.5 miles northward in the Willamette River, between Hyak Park (located between Corvallis and Albany, Oregon).

While paddling on the river, individuals came across a body and dialed 911 for assistance. According to a sheriff’s Facebook post, deputies arrived swiftly and discovered a deceased female in a shallow part of the riverbed close to its midpoint, surrounded by approximately one to two feet of water.

Deputies confirmed the discovery of a body matching that of Pomeroy, who went missing on July 13. They handed over the remains to a funeral home and informed her family about the recovery, according to the post.

A 49-year-old chef, known for contributing to Portland’s culinary fame, appeared on the tenth season of “Top Chef” when it was filmed in Seattle and participated in “Top Chef Masters” in the year 2011.

I have spent many years working as a sheriff, and I can tell you from experience that every year brings its share of tragic incidents. One such incident occurred recently when a woman became the first reported drowning victim of the season. The investigation into this unfortunate event revealed some intriguing details.

“Naomi, one of the people floating, was unexpectedly submerged beneath the water and kept connected by her paddle board leash.”

At the scene, the Corvallis Fire Department team couldn’t retrieve Pomeroy’s body yet, but they successfully brought the remains of the other two individuals ashore and transferred them securely to a boat ramp.

While tubing with her husband, Kyle Webster, and a third person in Benton County, Pomeroy accidentally went underwater. According to Lt. Toby Bottorff’s report to local news station KEZI.

Deputies from the sheriff’s office conducted searches in the area with the help of sonar, underwater cameras, and drones. However, they didn’t find any trace of Pomeroy due to the heavy accumulation of debris beneath the water surface. The search was temporarily halted for the night, but a shheriff’s boat had been continuously deployed on the water since Saturday for the rescue operation.

“Sheriff Van Ardsall is committed to finding Naomi and reuniting her with her family and dear ones. He expresses gratitude to everyone who has contributed to the search and rescue effort and provided support throughout this challenging period.”

As a devoted cinemagoer, I’d put it this way: I’d caution fellow river enthusiasts that these waterways can be treacherous with their strong currents and hidden dangers. It’s always wise to check them out beforehand for safety reasons.

As someone who has spent countless hours on the river, I strongly advise against tying yourself to a paddle board without a quick release leash. Trust me, you never know when the current might unexpectedly pull you under, and having that extra freedom could make all the difference in keeping yourself safe.

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2024-07-19 01:01

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