Photo: Courtesy Eater.com
CHICAGO, Ill.–Known as a gentle giant at 7 ft. 2, Mississippian and runner up on the show “Master Chef”, Josh Marks was found dead of what has now been ruled a self-inflicted gunshot wound Fiday night in Chicago.
Marks may have tried to commit suicide once before when he was found with a wound to his face during an episode three months ago when it took five Chicago police officers to restrain him. Marks claimed he had been possessed by “Master Chef” host Gordon Ramsey. He was not on drugs at the time.
Marks, a Jackson native, faced aggravated battery charges in the incident.
“It is overwhelming to think that with proper, intensive treatment, Joshua may still be with us,” his lawyer, Lisa Butler, told CNN Sunday. “He was a jewel with so much talent to offer this world. But, in his state of mind, he turned to the streets for a gun and easily got it.”
His family says he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder last year, right after his loss on the show. They are now blaming lack of access to mental health care facilities and easy access to guns for Marks’ death, according to CNN.