Anne Burrell’s Death Ruled a Suicide, Medical Examiner Confirms Cause Five Weeks After Food Network Star’s Passing

              

Celebrity chef and Food Network personality Anne Burrell died by suicide, the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner has confirmed. The ruling comes five weeks after Burrell was found dead in her Brooklyn home at the age of 55.

Burrell was discovered on the morning of Tuesday, June 17. According to a spokesperson for the New York Police Department, emergency personnel responded to a 911 call at approximately 7:50 a.m. reporting a suspected cardiac arrest. Upon arrival, NYPD officers and EMS personnel found Burrell “unconscious and unresponsive” and pronounced her dead at the scene.

An internal NYPD report, cited by The New York Times, indicated she was found in the shower and surrounded by approximately 100 assorted pills. No foul play is suspected.

On Friday, July 19, the city medical examiner concluded that Burrell died as a result of “acute intoxication due to the combined effects of diphenhydramine, ethanol, cetirizine, and amphetamine.” The death was officially ruled a suicide. Diphenhydramine and cetirizine are over-the-counter antihistamines, ethanol is the intoxicating component of alcohol, and amphetamines are commonly prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Burrell’s family declined to comment on the ruling. They had previously released a heartfelt statement on June 17, the day of her death, saying, “Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend, her smile lit up every room she entered. Anne’s light radiated far beyond those she knew, touching millions across the world. Though she is no longer with us, her warmth, spirit, and boundless love remain eternal.”

Burrell was best known for her charismatic television presence and culinary expertise, particularly as the longtime host of Food Network’s Worst Cooks in America. Her sharp wit and mentorship helped guide novice cooks through difficult culinary challenges, turning kitchen disasters into competent home chefs.

Over the course of her career, Burrell became a staple of Food Network programming. She began her television journey as a sous chef on Iron Chef America, working alongside Mario Batali. Her breakout role came in 2008 when she began hosting Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, which aired for nine seasons and earned her an Emmy nomination. She later appeared on Chopped, Chef Wanted with Anne Burrell, Food Network Star, and most recently House of Knives, a competitive cooking series that premiered in March 2025.

In addition to her television work, Burrell was a best-selling author. Her 2011 cookbook Cook Like a Rock Star reached The New York Times bestseller list, and she followed it up with Own Your Kitchen: Recipes to Inspire and Empower in 2013, further cementing her status as a culinary influencer.

Born on September 21, 1969, in Cazenovia, New York, Burrell’s early interest in food came from her family kitchen and watching culinary icons like Julia Child. She earned a degree in English and Communication from Canisius College in Buffalo before enrolling in the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, where she graduated in 1996. She later studied at the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners (ICIF) in Asti, Italy, where she honed her skills in Italian cuisine.

After years working in top-tier restaurants in both Italy and New York City, Burrell began teaching at the Institute of Culinary Education. Her passion for education and performance ultimately led her to television, where she became one of the most recognizable faces in the food media landscape.

Off-screen, Burrell was known for her vibrant red spiked hair, distinctive laugh, and approachable attitude. She was admired by fans and colleagues alike for her authenticity, warmth, and fierce culinary talent.

Burrell married marketing executive Stuart Claxton on October 16, 2021. The couple met on the dating app Bumble in 2018 and celebrated their nuptials in her hometown of Cazenovia. She is survived by Claxton and his son Javier, as well as her mother Marlene, sister Jane, brother Ben, and her three children: Isabella, Amelia, and Nicolas.

According to friends, Burrell had recently embraced new creative pursuits. On the evening before her death, she performed in a final showcase for an improv acting class in Brooklyn. Fellow performer and actress Jane Margolis recalled that Burrell was “having the best night” and described her as “hysterically funny” and deeply engaged with the performance. “She really was so into it,” Margolis said, “She lit up the stage just like she lit up the kitchen.”

In the wake of her passing, tributes have poured in from fans, culinary colleagues, and fellow Food Network personalities. Many have shared stories of how Burrell inspired them to cook, pursue culinary careers, or simply embrace confidence in the kitchen.

Burrell’s death is a tragic reminder that those who appear outwardly joyful and successful may still be struggling.

Anne Burrell leaves behind a lasting legacy in food, media, and the hearts of those who knew and loved her, both personally and from afar. Her influence continues through the many lives she touched with her humor, guidance, and unmistakable presence.