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Top chef Benoît Violier found shot dead aged 44

The late Benoît Violier with his trophy for best restaurant. Picture by Michel Euler, Associated Press
The late Benoît Violier with his trophy for best restaurant. Picture by Michel Euler, Associated Press

TOP chef Benoît Violier, whose restaurant near Lausanne in Switzerland recently topped a list of the world's best, has been found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot.

The 44-year-old was found dead in his home in the municipality of Crissier late on Sunday afternoon.

An investigation has been launched to determine the exact circumstances of the death. However Swiss police said Mr Violier, who was French, appeared to have shot himself.

Violier's Restaurant de l'Hotel de Ville in Crissier was named the best in the world in December.

It earned three Michelin stars and came top in the French government-sponsored La Liste ranking of the world's 1,000 best restaurants.

Mr Violier, who grew up in the town of Saintes in western France, had been due to attend the launch of the new Michelin guide in Paris yesterday.

His death came just months after that of his predecessor at the Restaurant de l'Hotel de Ville, Philippe Rochat.

A Michelin Guide spokesman said it was stunned by Mr Violier's death.

"We are shocked by the death of Benoît Violier, a chef of immense talent," a tweet read. "Our thoughts are with his family and his teams."