Australia MasterChef Judge Jock Zonfrillo’s Cause of Death Remains a Mystery After Coroner’s Ruling
MasterChef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillo was found dead in the Melbourne hotel room. The main cause of his death never be publicly disclosed after a coroner decided not to release the findings of a 16-month-long investigation into his passing.
The Scottish-born chef and restaurateur was found dead in a Carlton, Melbourne hotel room on April 30, 2023. His death caused much curiosity due to his previous heroin addiction, despite no drug paraphernalia was found in the hotel room.
A day later, his family confirmed the tragic news in an emotional statement:
“With completely shattered hearts and without knowing how we can possibly move through life without him, we are devastated to share that Jock passed away yesterday,”
Family and Circumstances Surrounding His Passing
jock zonfrillo, 46, is survived by his wife Lauren Fried, and their young children, Alfie, give, and Isla, three. He also had two older daughters, Ava and Sofia, from previous relationships.
His body was discovered at Zagame’s House on Lygon Street after police conducted a welfare check, prompted by a call from Fried, who was in Italy at the time and became concerned when he failed to respond to her messages.
Police stated that his death was not treated as suspicious, but no immediate confirmation of the cause was provided.
Coroner’s Investigation Concludes
On August 27, 2023, the Victorian Coroners Court finalized its investigation into Zonfrillo’s death. However, a report says that the coroner decided not to publish the findings.
Under Victorian law, not all coronial findings are required to be made public. A coroner can withhold findings if they believe that non-publication serves the public interest. In this case, the report would generally be shared with Zonfrillo’s next of kin, including Lauren Fried.
Jock Zonfrillo’s Final Season of MasterChef
When he died, Zonfrillo had just wrapped up shooting the 15th season of MasterChef Australia. The program was initially set to air on May 1, 2023, but was delayed to May 7 after news of his death.
Battle with Cancer
It was later reported that Zonfrillo had been receiving treatment for bowel cancer while continuing his work on MasterChef. He was diagnosed with the disease in 2021 but kept his condition private.
Lauren Fried’s Memoir on Grief
In December 2023, Lauren Fried announced the release of her upcoming memoir, Till Death Do Us Part, which reflects on her grief and life after losing Zonfrillo.
“It’s been really hard for me to explain how we got from absolute catastrophe to the new version of our life, which, despite it all, is quite bright and optimistic,” Fried shared in an Instagram video.
The book is set to be published by Penguin Books Australia on May 6, 2024. The cover features an intimate photo of Zonfrillo and Fried sharing a kiss.
Zonfrillo’s Culinary Career and Financial Struggles
Born Barry Zonfrillo, the late chef left school early to pursue his culinary passion. By 17, he was working alongside the renowned Marco Pierre White in London.
In 2000, he moved to Australia, joining Restaurant 41 in Sydney before settling in Adelaide, where he opened Bistro Blackwood and the award-winning Restaurant Orana in 2013.
Despite receiving critical acclaim, both restaurants collapsed in 2020, leaving unpaid debts of approximately $3.2 million. Another enterprise, Nonna Mallozzi, folded just months after it started paying losses of more than $140,000. Zonfrillo’s financial problems also caused him to lose his family property in the Adelaide Hills.
Rise to TV stardom
Despite these difficulties, jock zonfrillo career took a big turn when he was named a MasterChef Australia judge in 2020, with Melissa Leong and Andy Allen. He took over for the original judging team of Gary Mehigan, Matt Preston, and George Calombaris, who were fired as part of a network restructuring.
His charming presence on the show earned him considerable acclaim, establishing his place in Australian television and the culinary world.
Conclusion
Although the conditions surrounding his death remain a mystery, Jock Zonfrillo’s legacy on the food industry and incredible journey from adversity to success will be remembered by fans, colleagues, and loved ones alike.
