Jessica Vogel of "Hell's Kitchen" fame died Monday in New Jersey while she was being treated for colitis at a local hospital, Us Weekly Magazine reported. She was 34.
"Her heart gave out," said the chef's fiancé, John Michael Keyser.
An obituary in the Newark Star-Ledger called Vogel "fearless" in the kitchen, but also noted her struggles with drugs and alcohol.
"She would escape to drugs and alcohol," the obituary read. "She recently committed to living a better life and had graduated from an in-patient rehabilitation program with hopes of regaining control of her life. Unfortunately, the damage done over the years was too great, and she died, like she lived, a fighter."
Vogel's death comes a year after that of "Hell's Kitchen" contestant Paul "Paulie" Giganti, who died from accidental drug intoxication.
Vogel attended culinary school at Johnson & Wales in Denver and later auditioned for "Hell's Kitchen" while working at a California based creperie and bakery.
She won over chef Gordon Ramsay when she presented a rosemary-crusted venison loin, and roasted potatoes and brussels sprouts, The Westwood Patch reported.
Vogel was voted off the show in the season's ninth episode. She made appearances on the Food Network's "Cutthroat Kitchen" in 2015.
She worked at several prestigious restaurants following her television stint and Keyser told NorthJersey.com the two of them were planning to open a restaurant together.
News of her death left many in mourning.
"She wanted a recipe for Popeyes chicken," said chef Beth Taylor-Murray, a fellow “Hell’s Kitchen” cast member. "I loved her. She was a kind soul. We all have our issues and problems. I just want her to be at peace."
Fellow chef Michael Gabriel took to Facebook to mourn her death.
"Rest in Peace to a friend, and sister through the birth of fire," he said. "I have no words...I’m so sad right now."
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