Beloved celebrity chef and Food Network personality Anne Burrell died by suicide, according to a report released Thursday by the New York City medical examiner’s office.
Burrell, 55, was found unresponsive at her home on the morning of June 17. She was later pronounced dead at the scene. The medical examiner listed her official cause of death as “acute intoxication due to the combined effects of diphenhydramine, ethanol, cetirizine, and amphetamine,” with the manner of death ruled as suicide.
Her family has not publicly responded to the findings.
Burrell had remained active in the public eye just weeks before her passing. She appeared on NBC’s Today show in April, preparing chicken Milanese with escarole salad, and competed earlier this spring on the Food Network’s House of Knives.
In a statement, the Food Network paid tribute to her legacy:
“Anne was a remarkable person and culinary talent — teaching, competing, and always sharing the joy of food and the deep meaning it held in her life.”
A Culinary Trailblazer
Born on September 21, 1969, in Cazenovia, New York, Burrell was raised in a small town where her parents owned a flower shop. She initially pursued a degree in English and communications from Canisius University and worked briefly as a headhunter — a job she openly admitted she disliked.
Her passion for cooking eventually led her to enroll at the Culinary Institute of America, where she later became an instructor. After graduating in 1996, she continued her culinary education in Italy before returning to New York to work in several high-end restaurants.
Over her career, Burrell became a household name through her dynamic television presence and mentorship on shows like Secrets of a Restaurant Chef and Worst Cooks in America.
She is survived by her husband, Stuart Claxton — whom she married in 2021 — his son, her mother, and two siblings.
In a statement released through the Food Network, her family said:
“Anne’s light radiated far beyond those she knew personally, touching millions around the world.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, help is available. In the U.S., call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
