Tyler Duckworth, Reality TV Star, 44, Found Dead at North Dakota Home

Duckworth entered the public eye in 2006 as a cast member of MTV’s “The Real World: Key West.”

Published: 8/14/2026, 3:45:26 PM EDT

Tyler Duckworth, Reality TV Star, 44, Found Dead at North Dakota Home — Television personality Tyler Duckworth attends the Amp'd Mobile & Stuff Magazine Pre-VMA Bash hosted by Jermaine Dupri and Dave Meyers at the Marquee in New York City on Aug. 30, 2006 . (Peter Kramer/Getty Images)

Tyler Duckworth, a longtime reality television star and two-time winner of MTV’s “The Challenge,” was found dead Tuesday inside his Grand Forks, North Dakota, apartment. He was 44.

Duckworth’s mother, Joni Duckworth, announced his death Thursday on Facebook.

“My son, Tyler, passed away earlier this week. 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,” she wrote on Aug. 13.

Officers were sent to Duckworth’s Grand Forks apartment later Tuesday morning after downstairs neighbors reported water leaking through their ceiling, according to the Grand Forks Police Department, according to People Magazine. NTD has reached out to the Grand Forks Police Department for comment.

Duckworth entered the public eye in 2006 as a cast member of MTV’s “The Real World: Key West.” He later competed on “The Duel,” “The Gauntlet III,” “Cutthroat” and “Rivals.” He won “Cutthroat” as part of a four-person team before winning “Rivals” with Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio.

After nearly a decade away from the franchise, Duckworth returned for the Paramount+ spinoffs “The Challenge: All Stars 2” in 2021 and “All Stars 3” in 2022. Outside reality television, he worked as a middle and high school teacher and taught world history, according to his LinkedIn profile.

His final Instagram post was on Aug. 2, less than two weeks before his death. Duckworth shared photographs from a July 31 Challenge Mania event in Minneapolis, where he reunited with former cast members and met fans. He wrote that Challenge Mania “always knows how to bring the BEST of the BEST together.”

“So proud to represent my hometown of Minneapolis along with these other challenge legends. 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,” he said.

Tributes poured in on his last Instagram post. Another "The Challenge" participant, Beth Stolarczyk, wrote: "I'll always remember your laugh and your fun energy.”

Tina Barta from “The Challenge” shared a video of what she described as her final video call with Duckworth. She said some friendships are defined less by time than by the memories, laughter, and feelings people share.

“How blessed am I to be surprised by your visit to Challengemania where I got to hug and kiss you one last time,” Barta wrote. “We didn’t want to leave each other. We never do. I love you.”

Barta remembered Duckworth as someone who brought light, humor and heart to those around him. She said growing older had taught her not to assume there would always be another conversation, reunion, or opportunity to reminisce with someone.

“So tell your people you love them,” Barta wrote. “Reach out to the friend you’ve been meaning to call. Forgive what doesn’t matter. Hold onto the memories that do.”

Bunim/Murray Productions, the company behind “The Real World” and “The Challenge,” told Variety that Duckworth “was truly part of the Bunim/Murray family, he was an exceptional human being and beloved by both fans and his fellow contestants alike on ‘The Challenge. He will be missed by us all and our heart goes out to his family, his friends and everyone who enjoyed watching him compete on the show across so many seasons.”