The body of celebrity chef and “Top Chef” alum Naomi Pomeroy was recovered from a river in western Oregon, authorities confirmed Wednesday.
The Benton County Sheriff's Office said Pomeroy's body was found Wednesday morning in the Willamette River about a half-mile upstream of Hyak Park between Corvallis and Albany, Oregon.
People canoeing on the river spotted a body and called 911, the sheriff said in a Facebook update. Sheriff's deputies arrived shortly after and “located a deceased female on a flat rocky section near the middle of the river with approximately one to two feet of water.”
Officials identified the body as that of Pomeroy, who had been missing since July 13. They released her body to a funeral home and notified her family of her recovery, the post said.
The 49-year-old chef, who helped put Portland on the culinary map, competed on the 10th season of “Top Chef” when it was set in Seattle and on “Top Chef Masters” in 2011.
She was the first drowning victim of the year, the sheriff's office said. A sheriff's investigation revealed that three floats on inner tubes and a paddle board tied together “got caught on an exposed tree stump in the water,” the sheriff said Tuesday in a Facebook post that has since been updated.
“One of the swimmers, Naomi, was pulled underwater and held by the paddle board leash,” the post said.
Corvallis Fire Department personnel were unable to recover Pomeroy's body at the time, but recovered the other two swimmers and transported them safely to a boat dock.
Pomeroy was traveling with her husband, Kyle Webster, and another person, Benton County Patrol Lt., when she went underwater, Toby Bottorff told local news station KEZI.
Sheriff's deputies searched the area using sonar, underwater cameras and drones, but were unable to find any sign of Pomeroy due to the heavy debris. Search efforts were suspended overnight; however, the office said a sheriff's boat had been on the water every day since Saturday for the rescue mission.
“I am committed to locating Naomi to bring her home to her family and loved ones,” said Sheriff Van Arsdall. “I want to thank everyone involved in the search and recovery mission and their support during this difficult time.”
The sheriff's office warned the public that the rivers were “inherently dangerous” due to their currents and hazards and encouraged people to explore beforehand.
“When floating on rivers, do not tie yourself to a paddle board unless you have a quick leash,” the sheriff's statement said. “Also, do not tie two or more tubes together. This requires you to have a life jacket for each person. Children 12 and under must wear a life jacket.”
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