My Kitchen Rules star dies at just 46
My Kitchen Rules New Zealand contestant Michael Murray has passed away at just 46.
An extended family member, who asked not to be named, has confirmed his death on Monday afternoon.
“It’s a shock to all those who know him,” the relative told Daily Mail Australia.
No cause of death has yet been released.
Murray, of Ngāti Maniapoto heritage, competed in the 2024 season of the popular cooking show with his cousin Piki Knap.
According to their biography for the series, the pair grew up together in Te Kūiti, south of Auckland, and developed their love of cooking from entertaining family guests.
Murray was a huge Jamie Oliver fan, and was comfortable in front of the camera, after spending 12 years in Mexico where he worked on telenovela soap operas and did small stints on other shows.
He returned to New Zealand after the pandemic.
“My background is modelling and acting,” he told The New Zealand Herald.
“I was Mr New Zealand back in 2005, and that’s what took me overseas and eventually to Mexico. Obviously, I’m not Mexican, but they thought I was Latino!
"I did some great work there, then to come home and be a part of this whole journey with MKR is a blessing in disguise. I’ve always put my hand up to opportunity.”
Murray's family are now dealing with the devastation of losing another loved one after Murray's aunt passed away from terminal cancer a few months after the duo started filming for MKR.
Images: My Kitchen Rules NZ