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Medical Examiner’s Report Reveals Master Chef Anne Burrell Took Her Own Life, How She Was Found
Food Network star Anne Burrell took her own life inside her Brooklyn apartment, People confirmed five weeks after her tragic passing at the age of 55.
In a statement, the chef’s family described her as a “beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend” and said “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.”
Highlights
- Anne Burrell took her own life by ingesting a mix of pills in her Brooklyn apartment.
- Hours before passing, Anne performed improv comedy and shared plans to explore acting beyond her chef career.
- Anne hosted Worst Cooks In America for 27 seasons before stepping down in 2024 to pursue new projects.
A Food Network spokesperson stated that Anne was “a remarkable person and culinary talent – teaching, competing, and always sharing the importance of food in her life and the joy that a delicious meal can bring.
“Our thoughts are with Anne’s family, friends, and fans during this time of tremendous loss.”
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Anne Burrell lost her life from “acute intoxication” after ingesting a combination of pills, according to the NYPD
Image credits: Daniel Zuchnik / Getty Images
The celebrity chef was found “in the shower unconscious and unresponsive surrounded by approximately (100) assorted pills,” according to NYPD documents. These included diphenhydramine, cetirizine, and amphetamine, as well as ethanol.
The official cause was listed as “acute intoxication due to the combined effects” of the substances.
Image credits: chefanneburrell / Instagram
On June 17, emergency medical teams responded to the home she shared with her husband, Stuart Claxton, following a call about “an unconscious and unresponsive 55-year-old female.” She was pronounced “deceased on scene.”
Suart last saw her alive at about 1 AM, between six and seven hours before she was found lifeless in their bathroom, Bored Panda previously reported.
The Worst Cooks In America co-host performed at improv comedy club The Second City in Brooklyn hours before her passing.
The celebrity chef was found “unresponsive” in the shower and “surrounded by approximately 100 assorted pills” on June 17
Image credits: Food Network
In a podcast earlier this year, she told Tori Spelling that she had taken classes at the venue and was looking forward to participating in projects that had little to do with the skill that made her famous.
“I just started taking acting classes. I started yesterday, actually… It’s like an improv for actors’ class,” she shared.
“I got there and it’s like eight people in the class. I’m the oldest one. Every other person is like, ‘Oh, I have a master’s in fine arts in theater.’ I’m like, ‘Okay, I’ve never taken an acting class. I don’t know, this is new to me.’
“I wonder if these delightful and super talented kids look at me and they’re like, ‘What’s this old lady doing here?'”
Image credits: chefanneburrell / Instagram
During the interview, Anne revealed why she decided to step down from Worst Cooks In America after 27 seasons, after having hosted the show from its inception in 2010 until 2024.
The show follows celebrity chefs as they mentor contestants with very poor cooking skills in an attempt to transform them into kitchen experts.
“I can cook, yes, I can do TV, but also, what else? I’ve got more to do in my life, I feel like,” she explained, adding that she was “dipping her toe” in acting.
“I feel very excited about it. I’ve got a few other things that I’m working on as well, which I’m not quite ready to share yet. Hopefully, exciting things [are] coming.”
Anne performed at an improv comedy club hours before her passing
Image credits: chefanneburrell / Instagram
In addition to Worst Cooks, the chef appeared on Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, Chef Wanted, Chopped, Food Network Star, and most recently, House of Knives.
She also published two cookbooks: Cook Like a Rock Star and Own Your Kitchen: Recipes to Inspire & Empower, which were New York Times bestsellers.
Her husband, Stuart Claxton, called 911 after finding the 55-year-old in the bathroom
Image credits: chefanneburrell / Instagram
Image credits: chefanneburrell / Instagram
Anne’s passion for cooking began during her childhood, and she was inspired by her mother’s home-cooked meals and the iconic chef Julia Child.
In 1996, she graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park after having studied English and Communications at Canisius College in Buffalo.
The Mediterranean cuisine expert worked at various New York City restaurants, including Felidia, Centro Vinoteca, and Savoy in Soho.
Celebrity tributes included Gigi Hadid, who appeared with Anne on the cooking competition show Beat Bobby Flay
Image credits: gigihadid / Instagram
Tributes poured in from around the world in the days following her sudden passing, with celebrated chefs such as Tyler Florence, Alex Guarnaschelli, and Elizabeth Falkner sharing their fond memories of the star.
Chef Carla Hall, who appeared on Food Network’s Top Chef, called Anne an “incredible cook and teacher.”
Image credits: Food Network / Instagram
Beau MacMillan, who co-hosted Season 1 of Worst Cooks in America with Anne, said, “The news hit me like a gut punch. Anne was bigger than life, whether she was running a kitchen or filming a show, you knew she was in charge.”
“One of the most beloved icons of our industry, she inspired millions of people. She was smart, talented and so much fun to be around. She has left us way too soon.”
Anne had recently stepped down from Worst Cooks In America after co-hosting the show since 2010
Image credits: Anne Burrell / Facebook
Supermodel Gigi Hadid, who appeared on the cooking competition show Beat Bobby Flay with Anne in 2023, was among the celebrities who grieved her loss.
“I am heartbroken to hear of the loss of the Great Anne Burrell,” the 30-year-old wrote. “As a longtime fan, getting to share this day with her was a dream come true. Beat Bobby. Hang. Eat. I wish we could have done it again. She was awesome. Rest in Peace Legend.”
Anne is survived by her husband, whom she married in October 2021, and his son, Javier; her mother, Marlene; her sister, Jane, and Jane’s children, Isabella, Amelia, and Nicolas; and her brother, Ben.
Fans mourned the loss of the celebrated chef and Food Network icon
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Serena Myers 4 months ago
I'd never heard of her, I don't watch TV, and I have no idea if it was s u i ci de or not, but another life gone is always sad.
rv2sy8php9 4 months ago
I have to question if this was truly “s*****e”. If this article is correct she had lots of future plans. The picture with her cats, she looked the most relaxed like those were like her kids. I do not think she would purposely leave them. Without knowing how many pills were in her stomach I cannot go with “s*****e”. If there were 100s of pills around here means there could not be many in her stomach. I wish I could have met her, she always seemed to be an upbeat person with a big heart. One who would do anything for anyone. She was the one that got me to watch Iron Chef. She was the best sou chef. Without more information I will think this more of an accidental o******e. She is well missed already. There will now always be a void on the Food Network.
Serena Myers 4 months ago
I'd never heard of her, I don't watch TV, and I have no idea if it was s u i ci de or not, but another life gone is always sad.
rv2sy8php9 4 months ago
I have to question if this was truly “s*****e”. If this article is correct she had lots of future plans. The picture with her cats, she looked the most relaxed like those were like her kids. I do not think she would purposely leave them. Without knowing how many pills were in her stomach I cannot go with “s*****e”. If there were 100s of pills around here means there could not be many in her stomach. I wish I could have met her, she always seemed to be an upbeat person with a big heart. One who would do anything for anyone. She was the one that got me to watch Iron Chef. She was the best sou chef. Without more information I will think this more of an accidental o******e. She is well missed already. There will now always be a void on the Food Network.
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