Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio is honoring his late friend and former Real World costar Tyler Duckworth after the reality TV star’s shocking death at age 44.
“You were more than a friend. More than a roommate. You were the brother I never had,” the MTV reality star wrote via Instagram on Sunday, August 14, along a video montage accompanied by Johnny playing guitar and singing a song for his late friend.
“Rest easy, Tyler,” the caption continued. “You’ll always be family. 147:3.”
Johnny’s “147:3” is seemingly a reference to the Christian Biblical passage from Psalm 147:3, which the NIV version reads, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
A spokesperson for the Grand Forks Police Department confirmed to Us on Friday, August 14, that Duckworth was found dead in his apartment days earlier on Tuesday, August 11, after his downstairs neighbor complained of water coming through their ceiling.
The Challenge alum was seen just one day before his body was discovered in his apartment bathroom. Authorities report no signs of foul play or indicators Duckworth died under suspicious circumstances were initially located at the scene.
According to authorities, Duckworth’s cause of death is “pending the results of an autopsy.” A toxicology report will also be conducted, which can take between 10 and 12 weeks. The North Dakota State Forensic Examiner’s Office confirmed to Us that the case “will take at least 90 days for the full investigation to be completed.”
Days after Duckworth’s shocking death, his mother, Jodi Duckworth, broke her silence, telling People her son was her “Ty-Guy” who would “skip to school when he was little.”
“He has now gone to a better place where the hurts and challenges (pun intended) are no longer,” she added at the time. “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.”
Tyler made his MTV debut on The Real World: Key West in 2006 shortly after graduating from Tufts University. He went on to compete on six seasons of The Challenge, often alongside fellow star Johnny Bananas, which filmed all around the world.
“To all of Tyler’s friends and fans — God bless you for loving my Ty-Guy,” Jodi concluded.
Hollywood mourned the deaths of some of its most legendary stars in 2026. In June, legendary music executive Clive Davis also died at age 94 following a hospitalization for an upper respiratory infection. The following month, G.R.L. member Lauren Bennett died at age 37, while Bonnie Tyler died at 75. Emergency!‘s Randolph Mantooth and Police […]
Jodi reiterated that a cause of death for her son has yet to be determined, before promising her fans that she would post updates as she receives them.
“Cause of death has yet to be determined,” she confirmed at the time. She later shared information about her son’s celebration of life.
“Tyler’s funeral will be on Sat. August 22. It will be held at Augustana Lutheran Church located at 520 University Ave. in Grand Forks, ND. Visitation will be at 1:00, with the funeral taking place at 2:00,” she shared via Facebook. “After the service a reception will be held at the church. Those who choose to can join us to socialize at a restaurant/bar that will be determined. I want to thank everyone for their beautiful messages.”
In the wake of Tyler’s death, MTV shared a tribute to the longtime reality TV star.
“We are heartbroken by the loss of Tyler Duckworth, a beloved member of The Real World and The Challenge family,” MTV said in a statement via Instagram. “He will be deeply missed. Our thoughts are with Tyler’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time❤️.”
