The Challenge alum Tyler Duckworth has been laid to rest following his shocking death at age 44.
A memorial service for the former MTV reality star was held on Saturday, August 22, at the Augustana Lutheran Church in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Challenge star Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio posted highlights from the memorial via his Instagram Story. He shared a photo of a program “celebrating the life of Tyler” — which featured a quote from the biblical passage Philippians 4:6-7.
The quote read, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio attends Tyler Duckworth memorial Courtesy Instagram / Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio
Tyler’s mother, Joni, announced on August 13 that her son had recently died from undetermined causes.
“My son, Tyler, passed away earlier this week,” Joni wrote via Facebook at the time. “Cause of death has yet to be determined. I will post on Facebook about services as soon as his dad and I figure it out.”
The Grand Forks Police Department later shed more light on the circumstances surrounding Tyler’s death, telling People that he was found unresponsive in his apartment on August 11 after neighbors called to report water coming through the ceiling.
The Real World: Key West star’s cause of death is still “pending the results of an autopsy,” per law enforcement. A spokesperson for the North Dakota State Forensic Examiner’s Office confirmed to Us that the investigation into Tyler’s death “will take at least 90 days for the full investigation to be completed.”
That same week, Tyler’s mother, Joni, released a longer statement to People in which she reflected on his primary career as a world history teacher.
Tyler Duckworth in March 2006. Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images
“My Ty-Guy would skip to school when he was little,” Joni said. “He has now gone on to a better place where the hurts and challenges (pun intended) are no longer.”
She continued, “Tyler found his passion in teaching, and he was good at it. I understand his students loved him. He taught world history. He loved history and geography, and as he had traveled the world over, I am sure he brought many insights to his students.”
Away from the classroom, Tyler became a pioneer for LGBTQ+ contestants on MTV’s The Challenge by winning the Cutthroat and Rivals seasons in 2010 and 2011, respectively. He also competed on Challenge incarnations The Duel, The Gauntlet III, All Stars 2 and All Stars 3.
The Challenge community came together to mourn Tyler following the announcement of his death.
“You were more than a friend. More than a roommate. You were the brother I never had,” Challenge alum Devenanzio, 44, wrote via Instagram on August 14. “Rest easy, Tyler. You’ll always be family.”
Brad Fiorenza shared that he was “absolutely heartbroken” to have lost such a beloved member of the Challenge family.
“We shared something special being part of The Challenge family,” Fiorenza, 45, wrote. “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.”
