Tyler Duckworth, two-time 'The Challenge' winner, dies at 44

Tyler Duckworth, a two-time winner of MTV’s “The Challenge” and former cast member of “The Real World: Key West,” has died at the age of 44. His death was confirmed by his mother, Joni, in a Facebook post on August 13.

Duckworth was found unresponsive in his bathroom at his residence in North Dakota on Tuesday, August 11. The Grand Forks Police Department reported that the death is currently classified as unattended, though there are no immediate signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. An autopsy and toxicology report are pending to determine the exact cause of death; toxicology results are expected in 10 to 12 weeks.

Duckworth was a prominent figure in reality television, winning championships in the “Cutthroat” and “Rivals” seasons of “The Challenge.” He was also known for his role as one of the few LGBTQ+ winners in the franchise. Outside of television, he worked as a middle and high school teacher and was pursuing a doctorate degree.

His passing comes less than two weeks after he attended the “Challenge Mania” fan event in his hometown of Minneapolis. Fellow reality TV veterans and castmates have shared numerous tributes, mourning the loss of a colleague and friend.