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Naomi Pomeroy Dies: ‘Top Chef Masters’ Contestant And James Beard Award Winner Was 49


Naomi Pomeroy, the Portland-based Top Chef Masters contestant who was the recipient of the James Beard Award died on Friday in an accident on the Willamette River.

The assembly got stuck on a snag in the river and, according to AP, “Pomeroy was pulled under the water and trapped” as the paddle board leash would not let her up. “Both yesterday and today, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office had staff … both Marine Patrol Deputies and Search and Rescue personnel, on the water, continuing the effort to recover the victim. We will continue our efforts to recover the victim, to bring [closure] to the family and the community,” Benton County Sheriff Jef Van Arsdall told Eater late yesterday.

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