Homaro Cantu was an American inventor, entrepreneur, and chef, known for his use of molecular gastronomy.
Cantu’s body was found hanging Tuesday inside a building he was renovating into a brewery on the Northwest Side of Chicago.
After an autopsy on April 15, the Cook County medical examiner’s office officially declared Cantu’ death a suicide. His wife was perplexed by the suicide, saying Cantu did not leave a note and showed no signs of depression leading up to his death.
He did not have a history of mental illness.
In March 2015, former Moto and iNG investor Alexander Espalin sued Cantu. Espalin alleged that Cantu had misused restaurant funds for personal use and to promote Cantu’s cookbook. He also said he did not receive his share of Moto’s profits.
After Cantu’s death, his widow called the lawsuit “just another case of someone trying to make a buck off of [Cantu] or take credit for his ideas.”
Earlier in March, Cantu’s pastry chef left Moto to work at another restaurant. In April, Cantu’s executive chef announces plans to also leave the restaurant.
From MSNBC: Cantu’s wife, chef Katie McGowan, posted a picture on Facebook of the couple and asked people to remember her husband’s charitable legacy. She and Cantu had just celebrated their 12th wedding anniversary in March.
“Among his many gifts, he was the most generous person I ever met,” McGowan wrote, adding: “If you are one of the many many who asked him for a favor, or help, I am positive he made a phone call on your behalf, or found you a job, or comped your meal.”
Cantu grew up in Portland, Oregon, and he spoke publicly about growing up homeless and wanting to fight hunger.
He owned and operated the Cantu Designs Firm and Moto Restaurant in Chicago, Illinois.
Photo: Jeff Haynes/Getty Images
