71-Year-Old Pastry Chef Dies in Dough Mixer Accident

A 71-year-old pastry chef died in an apparent accident involving an industrial dough mixer at a kosher grocery store in North Miami Beach, Florida, early Friday morning.

Mordehay Grunberger, a longtime employee at the South Florida Kosher Market, was found dead around 4 a.m. on January 16, according to the North Miami Beach Police Department. Officers arrived at the scene shortly before noon after receiving reports of an incident inside the store. Authorities described the death as accidental, with no indications of foul play, and identified Grunberger as the victim following notification of his family.

Police have not released specific details about how the accident occurred, but investigators believe Grunberger became caught in the mixing machine while working. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration also responded to the site and is assisting in the probe, which remains ongoing. The store closed its doors for the day following the incident.

Grunberger, who lived in Miami, worked independently as a head pastry chef, as noted in his social media profile. He had been employed at the market for years, preparing baked goods for the community-focused business. Friends and...