Mystery surrounds Jock Zonfrillo’s final Instagram comment before death

Fans of the late MasterChef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillo have discovered what appears to be his finale Instagram comment, posted just before his death.

The Scottish-born chef, 46, was found dead by police at about 2 a.m. Monday in a north Melbourne hotel – the same day he was set to make promotional appearances for the upcoming fifteenth season of MasterChef.

He had uploaded an Instagram post on Sunday evening promoting the cooking show Channel Ten, which was due to launch at 7:30pm on Monday, but has since been postponed out of respect for his family.

It’s time for @masterchefau to kick off another season of Secrets & Surprises! And @jamieoliver of course!’ he wrote in the caption.

Some time later, he responded to a fan in the comments section in what is believed to be his last ever public interaction on social media.

The Scottish chef posted this message on Sunday evening to promote the cooking show, which was due to launch at 7.30pm on Monday, but has since been postponed out of respect for his family

Some time later, Zonfrillo responded to a fan in the comments section in what is believed to be his last ever public interaction on social media.

One of his followers commented on how much their son enjoyed watching Zonfrillo on MasterChef and often made impressions of his accent.

“Very exciting… (my son yells “Joooooock” every time you appear in the ad!!!! He’s even practicing his Scottish accent!!!)” they wrote.

Zonfrillo responded to this comment with a crying smile emoji.

After news of his death broke around 2 p.m. Monday, fans noted the timing of the comment’s publication: late Sunday night, just hours before he was found dead.

After news of his death broke around 2 p.m. Monday, fans noted the timing of the comment’s publication: late Sunday night, just hours before he was found dead

“So hard to believe you’re gone when you noticed this a few hours ago,” one follower replied.

“One of his last comments,” another wrote.

‘His answer less than 24 hours [old] yet! This was probably his last answer,” said a third.

A Victoria Police spokesman told Daily Mail Australia they found Zonfrillo’s body at about 2am Monday after being called to a hotel on Lygon Street in Carlton for a welfare check.

No cause of death has been released, but police say his death is not being treated as suspicious. A report is being prepared for the coroner.

A Victoria Police spokesman told Daily Mail Australia they found Zonfrillo’s body around 2am Monday after being called to a hotel on Lygon Street in Carlton for a welfare check.

“With hearts completely shattered and with no way of knowing how to go through life without him, we are devastated to share that Jock passed away yesterday,” his family said.

“With hearts completely shattered and with no way of knowing how to go through life without him, we are devastated to share that Jock passed away yesterday,” his family said in a statement Monday.

“There are so many words to describe him, so many stories to be told, but right now we are too overwhelmed to put them into words.

“For those who crossed his path, became his mate or were lucky enough to be his family, keep this proud Scotsman in your heart when you have your next whisky.”

They continued, “We beg you to please let us grieve in private as we find a way to navigate this, and find space on the other side to celebrate our irreplaceable husband, father, brother, son and friend.”

British chef Jamie Oliver, who is a guest judge on this year’s MasterChef and recently wrapped up shooting with Zonfrillo, said he was “totally shocked” by his friend’s death.

“I am in utter shock to wake up to the sudden death of Chef Jock Zonfrillo. We had the best time working together for this year’s MasterChef. I can’t say how good it was working with him,” he wrote on Instagram.

Zonfrillo is survived by his third wife, Lauren Fried, and his four children: teenage daughters Ava and Sophia, from his first two marriages, and six-year-old Alfie and two-year-old Isla, with Fried. (Zonfrillo, Fried, and their two children are seen here in a recent family photo)

“Jock was very generous to me with his time and energy on the show and I was very grateful for that.

Melissa, Andy and Jock work as the most inspiring judges and mentors, each with their own unique take on and style. Jock will be missed so much.

“I can’t believe I’m writing this. Sending heartfelt love and condolences to all his family, friends and second family, the MasterChef team and participants.”

British chef Jamie Oliver, who is a guest judge on this year’s MasterChef and recently wrapped up shooting with Zonfrillo, said he was “totally shocked” by his friend’s death.

Zonfrillo is survived by his third wife, Lauren Fried, and his four children: teenage daughters Ava and Sophia, from his first two marriages, and six-year-old Alfie and two-year-old Isla, with Fried.

The Scottish-Australian chef and restaurateur co-hosted popular cooking show MasterChef Australia on Channel 10 in 2019 with Andy Allen and Melissa Leong.

Zonfrillo, who began his career working for Michelin-starred chef Marco Pierre White in the UK, famously overcame a heroin addiction during his teenage years in Glasgow before becoming one of Australia’s most celebrated chefs.

In 2018, the year before he joined MasterChef, he was named Australia’s Hottest Chef by the Australian newspaper.

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The Scottish-Australian chef and restaurateur co-hosted the popular Channel 10 cooking show MasterChef Australia in 2019 with Andy Allen and Melissa Leong