"Masterchef" finalist Josh Marks was found dead in a Chicago alleyway from an apparent suicide just a few months after his bizarre run-in with University of Chicago police, TMZ reports.
A rep from the Chicago Police Department told the celebrity website they received a call from a woman hysterically screaming for help Friday evening. When police arrived to the scene, they found a 26-year-old make with a gunshot wound to the head.
Officials believe he died from an apparent suicide and have reportedly discovered the gun nearby in the alleyway. Police confirmed to People magazine that the body discovered was that of Marks.
"Right now, this is a death investigation," Chicago Police spokesman John Mirabelli said. "There was a weapon recovered at the scene. We're awaiting lab tests and autopsy results. We're also checking for any surveillance video."
On July 31, Marks was arrested near the University of Chicago after allegedly punching an officer in the face. According to reports, the 7-foot-2 cook was using an emergency phone on the campus when police approached him and asked if everything was ok.
He then allegedly attacked the officer and tried to take his gun. Three officers tried to stop Marks by using pepper spray and batons but he broke free and took off running. It eventually took five offers to subdue him.
He was taken to the hospital to be treated for his injuries and was reportedly ranting about Gordon Ramsey turning him into God.
Marks had another run-in with the law back in June and was arrested for trespassing. According to TMZ, he was entering an apartment complex and telling residents he lived there when he was never a tenant of the building. People in building got so spooked out that they were urged to call the police if they saw a "very tall" African- American man wandering around the complex.
Marks had revealed that he struggled with bipolar disorder by releasing video he did for "Make a Sound Project" - and organization that helps with suicide prevention.
The former basketball player turned chef rose to fame on the third season of the cooking show "Masterchef" where he was mentored by Ramsey, Joe Bastianich and Graham Elliot. The self-taught chef beat out thousands of hopefuls for a spot on the show.
He was runner-up to Christine Ha, after serving an undercooked lobster. Since appearing on the show Marks was involved with Real Men charities and had been talking about opening his own culinary school.
