A top chef has been found dead with a rifle by his side in an apparent suicide just months after both his father and mentor died.

Married father-of-one Benoît Violier, 44, who ran the three Michelin Star Restaurant de l'Hotel de Ville in Switzerland, is thought to have shot himself at his home, police said.

His restaurant in Crissier, near the southwestern Swiss city of Lausanne, was in December named the best of 1,000 top eateries across 48 countries, ranked by France's 'La Liste'.

Top chef: Benoît Violier's establishment - Restaurant de l'Hotel de Ville - was named the best in the world

Tributes: Flowers have been placed outside the entrance of Restaurant de l'Hotel de Ville in Switzerland

Hunting: Benoît Violier's father introduced him to hunting, which is why game was a key element to his cooking

Although 2015 was a year to celebrate career triumphs, both Violier's father, who had Alzheimer's disease, and his 'second father' and mentor, Philippe Rochat, died.

In an interview with the Swiss Magazine L'illustré in September, Violier described his heartache of losing two important men in his life.

'[My father] died on April 8, three months to the day before Mr Rochat,' he explained. 'Within weeks, I lost my two fathers.'

Swiss police said an investigation had been opened into chef Violier's death and said his family had asked for privacy 'to be allowed to mourn in peace'.

'Late in the afternoon [on Sunday], police... went to Crissier where they discovered at his home the body of Mr Benoît Violier,' the force said in a statement, adding that it appeared he had shot himself.

According to Swiss news site 24 heures, the chef was due to attend the launch of the new Michelin Guide in Paris on Monday.

A minute's silence was observed before the start of the Michelin Guide ceremony on Monday to honour him.

Violier, father to Romain, 12, discovered he had held onto the three Michelin stars for his restaurant when its Swiss guide was published in November.

Benoît Violier's (right) father, and his 'second father' and mentor, Philippe Rochat (left), died last year

Violier took over the reins at Restaurant de l'Hotel de Ville with his wife Brigitte in 2012 (pictured together)

A security guard, who was positioned outside the restaurant on Monday afternoon, told MailOnline: 'The restaurant is closed today and for some days to come. We don't know exactly when it will reopen.'

A woman in her 20s who emerged from the building said: 'He was the epitome of success professionally and personally. We are all devastated.'

Another, who entered the restaurant, added: 'No one wants to speak about anything at the moment. It's too early. We are all so shocked.'

A woman who works as a cleaner at Restaurant de l'Hotel de Ville explained: 'We are all in shock. It's just too sad. No one expected this.'

'I live nearby and used to see the chef from time to time,' a passerby added. 'It's terrible.'

A woman with her young son laid a single red rose outside the restaurant doors.

Tragedy: Top chef Benoît Violier was found dead months after his restaurant was named the best in the world

She said: 'I didn't know him personally. But I walk past his restaurant 10 times a day. I wanted to show my respect to his family.'

News of his death sparked a wave of sadness as contemporaries extolled the French-Swiss chef's talents.

Violier took over the reins at the restaurant with his wife Brigitte in 2012, following the retirement of his mentor Rochat, another towering figure in French cuisine. Rochat died aged 61 after falling ill while cycling last year.

A post written on Violier's official blog in July last year, described Rochat as a man who 'loved everything he did'.

It thanked him for his work and for being a 'wonderful man', adding that 'your three [Michelin] stars will shine forever'.

Gong: Restaurant de l'Hotel de Ville was named the best of 1,000 top eateries across 48 countries ranked by France's 'La Liste'. Pictured: Benoît Violier with the trophy

Award-winning: Benoît Violier, 44, who ran the three Michelin Star Restaurant de l'Hotel de Ville (pictured)

WHO WAS BENOIT VIOLIER? Benoît Violier was born in the French coastal city of La Rochelle into a family of winemakers. He was one of seven children and his father introduced him to hunting, which is why game was a key element to his cooking. Married father-of-one Benoît Violier He settled in Crissier, Switzerland in 1996, and took over Restaurant de l'Hotel de Ville with his wife Brigitte in 2012, following the retirement of his mentor Philippe Rochat. In 2000, he won the Meilleur Ouvrier de France (Best Craftsman of France). He was named Chef of the Year in 2013 by the influential Gault & Millau guide, second only to the Michelin guide. In 2015, he released his book, La cuisine du gibier à plume d'Europe (Cooking European Game). And in December, Restaurant de l'Hotel de Ville was named the best of 1,000 top eateries across 48 countries ranked by France's 'La Liste'. He had a son Romain, 12. Advertisement

Opened nearly 40 years ago, the restaurant offers menus ranging from 195 Swiss francs (£135) to 380 Swiss francs (£260).

Born in the French coastal city of La Rochelle into a family of winemakers, Violier's career went from strength to strength over the years.

He was named Chef of the Year in 2013 by the influential Gault & Millau guide, second only to the Michelin guide.

Known as a keen hunter, game was a mainstay in Violier's signature dishes and he was known for using local, seasonal products.

He obtained Swiss nationality two years ago, according to Swiss daily Blick.

Celebrating being named best restaurant in December, Violier said at the time: 'It's wonderful, it's exceptional for us. This ranking will only motivate our team more.'

Michelin-starred French chef Pierre Gagnaire was one of many of Violier's peers who expressed shock at his death late Sunday.

'My thoughts go out to Benoît Violier's family. Very sad news about an extremely talented chef,' he wrote on Twitter.

Swiss chef Fredy Girardet, a friend of Violier and his wife, who once ran the restaurant in Crissier, said he could 'see no motive for such an act'.

He told Tribune de Genève: 'He was a brilliant young man, with enormous talent and an impressive work potential. He gave the impression of being perfect. This news is so sad.'

Paul Bocuse - dubbed the 'pope' of French cuisine - described Violier on Twitter as a 'great chef, great man, huge talent'.

Paul Bocuse - dubbed the 'pope' of French cuisine - described Violier as a 'great chef, great man, huge talent'

Star chef Jean Francois Piege tweeted: 'An immense chef, an immense sadness, thoughts go out to his family and his team'

Opened nearly 40 years ago, Restaurant de l'Hotel de Ville offers menus ranging from 195 Swiss francs (£135) to 380 Swiss francs (£260)

Star chef Jean Francois Piege, also of France, tweeted: 'An immense chef, an immense sadness, thoughts go out to his family and his team.'

Violier's death was not, however, the first apparent suicide of a renowned French chef in recent years.

Bernard Loiseau shot himself with his hunting rifle in 2003 after the Gault & Millau guide lowered the rating of his renowned establishment in the Burgundy region.

Despite his tragic death, the guide stripped a star from the restaurant, and Loiseau's widow Dominique said on Monday she was 'shocked' by the decision to reduce the Relais Bernard Loiseau to two stars.

Four Michelin three-star chefs, meanwhile, closed down their restaurants from 1996 to 2008.

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