On Sunday, Aug. 16, Devenanzio shared a touching tribute to the reality star, posting a video on Instagram<\/a> of himself playing Zach Bryan<\/a>\u2019s \u201cPink Skies\u201d on acoustic guitar alongside a montage of photos of the pair throughout the years.<\/p>\n \u201cYou were more than a friend. More than a roommate. You were the brother I never had,\u201d he wrote in the caption. \u201cRest easy, Tyler. You\u2019ll always be family \u2764\ufe0f.\u201d<\/p>\n Devenanzio, 44, concluded the caption with the numbers \u201c147:3,\u201d a reference to the Bible verse \u201cHe heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.\u201d<\/p>\n Devenanzio and Duckworth\u2019s friendship stretched back two decades, beginning when they were cast as roommates on MTV\u2019s The Real World: Key West in 2006.\u00a0<\/p>\n The show\u2019s 17th season marked both men\u2019s introduction to reality television and also featured Paula Meronek, Janelle Casanave, Svetlana Shusterman, Zach Mann and Jose Tapia.<\/p>\n Never miss a story \u2014 sign up for PEOPLE\u2019s free daily newsletter<\/a> to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.<\/p>\n Their relationship would go on to become a memorable part of The Challenge franchise \u2014 first as competitors and eventually as championship partners. Later in 2006, both men appeared on The Challenge: The Duel. They also competed together again on The Gauntlet III and 2010\u2019s Cutthroat.<\/p>\n That history ultimately landed the two on the same team for 2011\u2019s aptly named The Challenge: Rivals, which paired up former competitors. Despite their previous clashes, Devenanzio and Duckworth worked together to win the season.<\/p>\n \u2018The Real World: Key West\u2019 stars Johnny \u201cBananas\u201d Devenanzio, Zach Mann and Tyler Duckworth in 2006Credit: Tom Grizzle\/Patrick McMullan via Getty<\/p>\n In total, Duckworth competed on six seasons of The Challenge: The Duel, The Gauntlet III, Cutthroat, Rivals, All Stars 2 and All Stars 3. His 2022 appearance on All Stars 3 would ultimately be his last in the franchise.<\/p>\n Devenanzio\u2019s emotional tribute comes days after Duckworth\u2019s mother, Joni, confirmed on Thursday, Aug. 13, that her son had died<\/a> earlier in the week.<\/p>\n The Grand Forks Police Department (GFPD) told PEOPLE that Duckworth was found dead at his Grand Forks, N.D., apartment on Tuesday, Aug. 11.<\/p>\n Police visited the residence after receiving a report from Duckworth\u2019s downstairs neighbors that water was coming through the ceiling<\/a>, per the GFPD.<\/p>\n Authorities entered The Challenge star\u2019s apartment and confirmed the water was coming from his bathtub. That was also where his body was found.<\/p>\n Tyler DuckworthCredit: Tyler Duckworth\/Instagram<\/p>\n Police said it was not clear how long he had been deceased, but that he had been seen the day before.\u00a0<\/p>\n Duckworth\u2019s cause of death has not yet been determined, and authorities previously told PEOPLE there were no apparent signs of foul play.<\/p>\n Just weeks before his death, Duckworth reunited with several fellow franchise veterans at a Challenge Mania event in Minneapolis on July 31.\u00a0<\/p>\n He later celebrated the gathering on Instagram<\/a>, writing that he was \u201cso proud\u201d to represent his hometown alongside other Challenge alums and thanking fans for continuing to support the franchise.<\/p>\n Read the original article on People<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\u2018The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/715f23ea-c709-4157-ad3d-ec3b2ddc266f.jpg\"\/)
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Tyler](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/4b9e38ab-4c88-49ae-b9cf-65f817c5ed98.jpg\"\/)
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