Ben Wood — the American food influencer known for burger reviews, craft beer content, and a loyal Instagram following — has died after a terrifying rescue attempt at a beach in Chile. He was 43.
Wood, who was born in Connecticut and had lived in Chile for more than a decade, reportedly went into the water after a young woman was swept out by heavy waves while visiting the coastal town of Algarrobo on March 9.
Local reports say the situation escalated fast: the woman’s partner, Wood, Wood’s wife, and Wood’s father all rushed into the surf trying to pull her to safety — but the waves overpowered them.
Only the woman’s partner survived. He was later rescued by the Chilean Navy using a helicopter, according to those reports.
Wood and his father died at the scene, and while Wood’s wife was pulled from the ocean alive, she later died at a hospital.
Two days later, Wood’s daughter confirmed the devastating loss in an emotional message shared to his Instagram Stories, remembering her parents for the “tremendous love” they had for their work, their lives, and their passion — and honoring what she described as a final act of helping others.
Beyond social media, Wood also built a name for himself in the craft beverage world. He founded Craftwork Chile, a beer marketplace with subscription options, and was involved in an indie brewing project called Lost and Found Liquids.
After the news broke, tributes flooded his comment sections, with followers calling him a “legend” and sharing messages of love, gratitude, and disbelief at the sudden tragedy.