Brooklyn, NY – July 24, 2025: Celebrity chef Anne Burrell, best known for her dynamic presence on Food Network shows like Worst Cooks in America and Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, died by suicide, according to the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Details of Her Passing
Anne Burrell, 55, was found unconscious and unresponsive in her Brooklyn home on June 17, 2025. She was discovered in a shower surrounded by nearly 100 pills, according to law enforcement reports.
On July 24, 2025, the medical examiner officially ruled her cause of death as acute intoxication due to a combination of diphenhydramine, cetirizine, ethanol (alcohol), and amphetamine, confirming the manner of death as suicide.
Life and Legacy
Born on September 21, 1969 in Cazenovia, New York, Anne Burrell trained at the Culinary Institute of America and the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners before launching a distinguished culinary career that included work at renowned New York restaurants like Felidia and Savoy.
Her television breakout came in 2005 when she appeared as a sous chef on Iron Chef America, which led to several Food Network series, including her nine-season Secrets of a Restaurant Chef (2008–2012) and her long tenure as a mentor on Worst Cooks in America, which spanned 27 seasons.
Final Days and Public Reaction
Just hours before her death, Burrell had performed improv comedy at The Second City in Brooklyn. Witnesses described her as being in “great spirits” during the performance—“typical fun, outgoing Anne” .
The contrast between her mood and the tragic outcome left many close to her deeply shaken.
Tributes have poured in from fans, colleagues, and the broader culinary community. Food Network released a statement honoring her as a passionate chef, mentor, and generous spirit whose warmth and influence reached millions.
Survived By
Anne Burrell is survived by her husband, Stuart Claxton, whom she married in 2021, his son Javier, and her mother Marlene, sister Jane (and Jane’s children Isabella, Amelia, and Nicolas), and her brother Ben.
Why This Matters
Anne Burrell helped redefine how food television could combine charisma with teaching. As a culinary educator, star, and cookbook author—her books Cook Like a Rock Star and Own Your Kitchen were New York Times bestsellers—her contributions went well beyond television screens.
Her death underscores the often-hidden burdens that mental health struggles can place on public figures, regardless of outward success.
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