Benoit Violier, who was named the best chef in the world two months ago, has been found dead in his home in Switzerland in an apparent suicide.
Police said the 44-year-old died of shotgun injuries and that an investigation into his death has been launched.
Violier ran the three Michelin-starred Restaurant de l'Hotel de Ville in the small town of Crissier, near Lausanne. It was ranked best in the world by France's prestigious La Liste initiative last December.
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His death comes just months after his long-time mentor and predecessor Philippe Rochat died after falling ill, the BBC reports.
Born in France, Violier applied for Swiss citizenship after taking over the restaurant in 2012.
Culinary greats in France and Switzerland have paid tribute to their friend and colleague. "The planet has been orphaned by this exceptional chef," tweeted French chef Marc Veyrat, while Fredy Girardet, who used to run the Restaurant de l'Hotel de Ville, told the Swiss press he was "completely stunned" by the news of his friend's death.
"I can see no motive for such an act. He was a brilliant young man with enormous talent and an impressive work potential," he said. "He gave the impression of being perfect. This news is so sad."
Violier had been due to attend the unveiling of the new edition of the Michelin guide in Paris today.
"While a Michelin star can bring glory," says The Guardian, "the pressure to maintain the rating is intense."
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