Jock Zonfrillo’s wife makes sad admission as she pays tribute to Masterchef star three years on from his death

Jock Zonfrillo’s widow has made a sad admission as she paid tribute to the MasterChef star three years on from his tragic death.

Lauren Zonfrillo revealed that despite time passing, she was no closer to accepting that her husband died.

“Three years. Still no closer to accepting you’re not here with us,” she captioned a photo of the two holding each other as they look over the ocean.

Friends and followers sent an outpouring of love to Lauren, including the wife of Aussie rock singer Jimmy Barnes and MasterChef judge Andy Allen’s wife.

Jane Barnes sent her “love and courage,” while Alex Allen said: “A big love and a huge loss 💔 Sending you guys so many hugs, miss you JZ x.”

Another follower said she had to stop watching MasterChef after his death.

“Literally stopped watching Masterchef because I couldn’t believe he wasn’t going to be there anymore. Jock is missed. I hope you and your loved ones are doing well! 🤍”

The 46-year-old Scottish chef was found dead in a Melbourne hotel room in April 2023 after Lauren — who was in Italy at the time — reportedly asked police to conduct a welfare check after failing to contact him.

The couple had relocated to Rome with their young children, Alfie and Isla, with Jock travelling back to Australia to film MasterChef.

His cause of death has never been revealed and will remain a mystery to the public after a coroner chose not to release the findings of a 16 month-long investigation.

“At the close of the investigation, the coroner determined that the finding would not be published,” a Victoria Coroners Court spokesperson said.

At the time of his passing, police confirmed the death was not be treated as suspicious but speculation about his cause of death ran rife.

The TV star’s well-documented struggles with drugs and mental illness led to more speculation.

It was also revealed Zonfrillo had secretly battled bowel cancer in the years before his death and was receiving treatment for it from at least June 2021.

A source told the media that even he kept his health battle a secret from friends.

“No one in his circle knows what he is going through. Neither colleagues nor friends,” the source said.

“He has not wanted anyone to know as he deals with this tough journey. He is coping poorly with chemo treatment and its effects.”

Zonfrillo left behind his wife Lauren and their two children Alfie and Isla.