’I had to kick the door in’: Heartbreak after chef Ryan Krouwel fails to turn up to work

When chef Ryan Krouwel missed his shift at a well-known bistro in the CBD, his sister rushed to check on him. What she found left her family shattered.

Every Monday, Fred Krouwel would meet his grandson for coffee at Tea Tree Plaza.

There Ryan Krouwel, a chef, would show his grandfather photos of his latest food creations.

“They were desserts, that’s what his real passion were,” Mr Krouwel said.

But heartbreakingly Mr Krouwel will never sip coffee at Tea Tree Plaza with his 24-year-old grandson again, after he found him unconscious from a diabetic coma in his home on July 28.

“Ambulance workers worked so hard on him for hours, but they couldn’t revive him,” he said.

Ryan Krouwel died from a diabetic coma when he was 24 years old on July 28, 2024. Picture: Supplied by family

He was found in his home by his sister Chloe and grandfather Fred. Picture: Supplied by family

Ryan, who was diagnosed with type one diabetes when he was 12, was scheduled to work at Maison Clement on Currie St the day he died.

When he didn’t show, his colleagues called his sister, Chloe, who showed up at his home and tried to get inside.

“He wasn’t answering the door, but she could hear the phone ringing so then she rang me,” Mr Krouwel said.

“I went down there, his room was locked, so I had to kick the door in.

“He was there in a diabetic coma. We called the ambulance straight away.

“He was declared dead in the hospital but he really died in his room, that’s when his heart stopped.”

Ryan developed his passion for cooking after his mother’s death four years ago. Picture: Supplied by family

He also enjoyed camping which he did often, along the River Murray with his grandfather. Picture: Supplied by family

A fervent chef, Ryan had been working the Currie St eatery for about a year.

“Under the guidance of the head chef there, he absolutely shone, it’s like he grew another leg,” Mr Krouwel said.

“He developed as a person and as a chef.”

The 24-year-old’s love for cooking blossomed after his mother Renee died four years ago of cervical cancer.

Ryan’s grandfather Fred told The Advertiser that he would give the shirt off his back for anyone in need. Picture: Supplied by family

He attempted an apprenticeship as a mechanic, then worked for an airconditioning company, before following his heart.

He worked at the Richmond Hotel and the Pancake Kitchen, before finding his place at Maison Clement.

A spokesperson on behalf of all the staff at Maison Clément said Ryan “was part of the Maison Clément family”.

“He was dedicated and eager to learn,” they said.

“His sense of humour would brighten the kitchen. He will be missed immensely.”

Ryan also loved camping with his grandfather, often along the Murray River with no facilities.

“He’s going to be sadly missed at the camps in the future,” Mr Krouwel said.

The grandfather said Ryan was generous, kind caring and would “give the shirt off his back literally”.

“He was always there for anybody that needed him,” he said.

“He had a willing and caring nature.”

Ryan was born on January 3 2000. He died on July 28 2024. He was 24 years old.

He is the son of Renee and Tim, nephew of Linda and Andrew, brother of Chloe, grandson to Fred and Dianne.