Tyler Duckworth dies: Two-time 'The Challenge' champion was 44

Tyler Duckworth, a two-time champion on MTV's The Challenge, has died at 44. 

His mother confirmed the news on Facebook, though a cause of death has not yet been made public.

Duckworth first appeared on reality TV via The Real World: Key West before becoming one of The Challenge's most accomplished competitors, winning Cutthroat in 2010 and Rivals in 2011, making him the only openly gay man to win more than one season of the franchise. 

After his 2011 win, he stepped away from the competition scene for over a decade, a period during which he lived and worked in China, built a career as a middle and high school teacher, and pursued a doctorate. 

He returned to the franchise in 2021 for The Challenge: All Stars 2, marking his first appearance on the show in 11 years, and went on to compete in All Stars 3 as well.

Duckworth had spoken previously about the isolation he felt as the only openly gay swimmer on his college team, and about the meaning he found representing the LGBTQ+ community on a national stage through his Challenge wins. 

News of his death prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans and franchise followers, with many remembering him as a groundbreaking competitor and a beloved figure within the show's community.