“Top Chef Masters” star Naomi Pomeroy dies at 49 in dinghy accident

Naomi Pomeroy, an award-winning Portland chef who starred in “Top Chef Masters,” has died at age 49 following a dinghy accident.

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office said the incident occurred around 8:25 p.m. Saturday on the Willamette River in Oregon.

A sheriff’s office investigation found that three swimmers on inner tubes and a paddle board tied together became caught in an obstruction in the water. Pomeroy was pulled underwater and held by the paddle board’s leash, the sheriff’s office said.

The Corvallis Fire Department was first on the scene with a boat. Firefighters rescued two swimmers and brought them to a boat ramp, but they were unable to rescue Pomeroy.

Pomeroy’s family told Portland Monthly that one of the other people present was Pomeroy’s husband, Kyle Linden Webster.

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office responded shortly thereafter and began searching downriver by land and water.

“BCSO officers searched the area using all available resources, including sonar, underwater cameras and drones, but were unable to find any trace of Naomi due to the heavy debris there,” the sheriff’s office said in a press release.

Search efforts were suspended for the night when daylight had completely disappeared, as divers could not be deployed in such conditions.

A BCSO team has been out on the water every day since Saturday to recover Pomeroy. Her body has still not been found. The sheriff’s office said it will continue to reassess the recovery mission daily.

“My goal is to find Naomi and bring her home to her family and loved ones,” Sheriff Van Arsdall said in a press release. “I want to thank everyone involved in the search and recovery mission and supporting us during this difficult time.”

BCSO says the public can help in the search as long as they follow boating laws and safety precautions, such as wearing a life jacket. If she is found, the public is advised to call 911 and not attempt to rescue her themselves.

The sheriff’s office also issued a warning to all tourists floating on the river.

“When floating on rivers, do not tie yourself to a paddleboard unless you have a quick-release leash. Also, do not tie two or more tubes together; you will need a life jacket for each person to do so. Children under 12 must wear a life jacket,” BCSO said.

Paddlers can view a complete list of Oregon laws here.

Pomeroy received the 2014 James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Northwest and Pacific.