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Haunting new information has emerged about the shocking death of The Challenge star Tyler Duckworth at the age of 44.
His mother Joni announced on Facebook this Thursday that he had 'passed away earlier this week' of a cause that had 'yet to be determined.'
Now the Grand Forks Police Department in rural North Dakota have confirmed they discovered his body in his bathroom at around 11:45am Tuesday.
They arrived at his apartment after Duckworth's downstairs neighbor contacted them to inform them of water seeping through the ceiling, via People.
Upon entering the reality TV personality's residence, the authorities were able to pinpoint Ducowrth's bathtub as the source of the water.
A maintenance worker had reportedly found Duckworth dead in the overflowing tub after the neighbor raised the alarm about the leakage, per TMZ.
The Daily Mail has contacted the Grand Forks Police Department for comment.
Haunting new information has emerged about the sudden death of The Challenge star Tyler Duckworth at the age of 44; pictured in a promotional image for the show
His mother Joni announced on Facebook this Thursday that he had 'passed away earlier this week' of a cause that had 'yet to be determined'; pictured 2024
A source has said Duckworth had recently undergone surgery, although there was no indication of whether the procedure was connected to his death, via The Sun.
In their new remarks, the police indicated he had been seen the day before his death, but that it remained unclear how long he had been deceased when they found him.
The authorities said there seemed not to be any indication of a suspicious death or foul play, but noted the cause of death was 'pending the results of an autopsy.'
Police added that a toxicology report, which could take up to 12 weeks to be completed, will also be compiled in the case of Duckworth's demise.
Duckworth had appeared at a Challenge Mania event in Minneapolis on July 31, less than two weeks before his body was found in his bathroom.
In an Instagram upload about the event, he raved that '@challengemaniapodcast always knows how to bring the BEST of the BEST together.'
He expressed how 'proud' he had been to 'represent my hometown of Minneapolis along with these other challenge legends.'
Duckworth's post included images of himself with other The Challenge alumni, such as Brad Fiorenza, Tina Barta, Rachel Robinson and Mark Long.
Not long after graduating college, he made his reality TV debut in 2006 on The Real World: Key West and joined The Challenge for the first time that year; pictured 2008
Duckworth had appeared at a Challenge Mania event in Minneapolis on July 31, less than two weeks before his body was found in his bathroom
'The fans are what keep us coming out! Hearing your stories of courage, inspiration & joy that you’ve got being a fan of the franchise is humbling each and every time,' Duckworth wrote in his Instagram post.
'Also, pretty sure we nailed the cast photo for the lost season of The Real World: Minneapolis!! Thank you Minneapolis! Thank you @scottofyager. It was REAL!!'
Born in Atlanta and raised in Minneapolis, Duckworth studied comparative religion at Tufts University, where he competed on the men's swim team.
Not long after graduation, he made his reality TV debut in 2006 on The Real World: Key West and joined The Challenge for the first time that year.
He competed on six seasons of the competition show, where competitors are judged by their ability to soldier through a series of rigorous physical tasks.
Duckworth emerged as champion of the Cutthroat season in 2010 and the Rivals season in 2011, and was also on The Duel, The Gauntlet III, All Stars 2 and All Stars 3.
All Stars 2 in 2021 marked his grand return to the reality TV franchise after a decade-long hiatus during which he led a private life as a teacher.
'I’m so happy to be back now,' he said while promoting All Stars 2 ahead of its premiere. 'And I'm giving you guys a show this season, don't you worry.'
Duckworth, pictured in 2007, emerged as the champion of Cutthroat in 2010 and the Rivals in 2011, as well as appearing on The Duel, The Gauntlet III, All Stars 2 and All Stars 3
He added: 'I gave it my all. I don't know if this might be my last rodeo, so I'm going to give you guys a motherf***ing show,' via Entertainment Weekly.
Duckworth noted that, as one of only a few gay champions in the history of The Challenge, he felt it was incumbent upon him to 'carry the torch' for gay viewers.
'I take it very seriously that I’m going to represent the gay community, and there’s a lot of expectations because not only am I gay, but I can win these things and I’ve proven that I can,' he explained. 'But at the same time, there’s a lot of pressure. Like RuPaul says, “Don’t f*** it up.” If I f*** it up, it’s like I’m ruining it for the gay community.'
He also indicated his 10-year break was not entirely by choice, but a consequence of the fact he 'never got called back' after winning two consecutive seasons.
'It was actually too hard for me to watch because it kind of broke my heart that I never got invited back,' he said. 'But sometimes you just have to let things go.'
Duckworth, who previously lived in West Hollywood, had in recent years moved back to the Midwest and was working as a schoolteacher in North Dakota.
His death was greeted by an outpouring of messages from fellow Challenge contestants, some of whom had seen him at Challenge Mania weeks earlier.
''Absolutely heartbroken to hear about Tyler,' wrote Brad Fiorenza on Instagram. 'We shared something special being part of The Challenge family.
He added: 'I’ll always be grateful for the memories we shared; especially at this last event just a couple weeks ago. Tyler will be deeply missed by so many. May his amazing soul live on in the lives he’s touched. RIP my dear friend.'
'May your memory be a blessing for us all. We love you @TheMightyDuckworth,' Rachel Robinson wrote in a tribute on her Insta Stories.