Johnny Bananas Speaks Out After Real World Costar Tyler Duckworth Dies

The Challenge Star Tyler Duckworth’s Mom Speaks Out After His Sudden Death

Johnny "Bananas" Devenanzio is remembering his friend Tyler Duckworth.

The reality star shared a touching tribute to his longtime friend and The Challenge costar after his death at the age of 44.

"You were more than a friend," Devenanzio captioned a video posted to Instagram Aug. 15. "More than a roommate. You were the brother I never had. Rest easy, Tyler. You’ll always be family. 147:3"

The Bible verse Devanzio referenced at the end of his tribute says, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."

Alongside his written tribute, the Traitors alum sang and played the guitar to "Pink Skies" by Zach Bryan as videos and photos of Duckworth and Devenanzio's time on The Challenge play on screen, beginning with an emotional moment they shared on The Challenge: Rivals in 2011.

The duo first met as roommates on The Real World: Key West back in 2006 before competing against one another on The Challenge: The Duel that same year.

They would go on to appear on six total seasons of The Challenge together: The Duel, The Gauntlet III, Cutthroat, Rivals, All Stars 2 and All Stars 3, the latter of which aired in 2022 and would be Duckworth's final season of the MTV competition series.

Duckworth's mother Joni Duckworth confirmed his passing on social media Aug. 13.

"My son, Tyler, passed away earlier this week," she wrote on Facebook, noting that his cause of death hadn't yet been determined. "I will post on Facebook about services as soon as his dad and I figure it out."

North Dakota’s Grand Forks Police Department told E! News that Duckworth was found in his apartment bathroom where there were no signs of foul play, nor did the death appear to be suspicious. Police are still waiting for toxicology results.

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures, Theo Wargo/WireImage for GLAAD

In the days since his passing, Duckworth’s mother has remembered him for his passions and evolution over the years.

“My Ty-Guy would skip to school when he was little,” she told People Aug. 14. “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.”

Now, as she put it, “He has now gone on to a better place where the hurts and challenges (pun intended) are no longer.”

MTV/Paramount+

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