Food Network star Anne Burrell's cause of death revealed

New York Post

4 days ago

'Worst Cooks in America' host Anne Burrell's cause of death has been revealed.
The chef, who passed away at age 55 on June 17 at her Brooklyn home, died by suicide, The Post can confirm.
Burrell's cause of death was determined by the New York City medical examiner's office and is specified as 'acute intoxication due to the combined effects of diphenhydramine, ethanol, cetirizine, and amphetamine.'
8 Chef Anne Burrell.
Brian Zak/Page Six
The Post has reached out to Burrell's rep for comment.
Burrell's family revealed the news of her death in a statement to People last month.
'Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend — her smile lit up every room she entered,' her loved ones said at the time. '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.'
The New York City Police Department shared that Burrell was found 'unconscious and unresponsive' and pronounced dead at the scene.
At about 7:50 a.m. on June 17, law enforcement from the 76th Precinct responded to 'an unconscious and unresponsive 55-year-old female.'
8 Chef Anne Burrell on Instagram on June 12th.
chefanneburrell/Instagram
Officers said that EMS 'responded and pronounced her deceased on scene,' noting that the 911 call was originally for a reported cardiac arrest.
Law enforcement sources later informed TMZ that Burrell's husband, Stuart Claxton, found her unresponsive on the shower floor just hours after he had last seen her alive.
Sources also exclusively told The Post that the Food Network star's body was found next to dozens of pills.
The day before Burrell's shocking death, the cook performed an improv show at The Second City New York in Brooklyn.
'Everyone said she was so great last night and so happy,' a source shared with People.
8 Anne Burrell.
Zandy Mangold for NY Post
A second insider who was with Burrell that night said she 'was in great spirits.'
'Typical fun, outgoing Anne, having a blast,' they noted, adding that everyone was 'shocked and confused' over her death.
A week before her passing, Burrell took to social media to about her June 16 improv show.
'Sooooooo… as I have mentioned I have been taking Improv classes @thesecondcitytc and having an ABSOLUTE blast!!!' she captioned her Instagram post.
Burrell had previously hosted 27 seasons of 'Worst Cooks in America.'
8 Anne Burrell poses at a party.
Weston Kloefkorn for Page Six
The Food Network series followed amateur cooks attempting to transform their kitchen skills, which Burrell was a part of from its launch in 2010 to 2024.
'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,' a representative for the network told The Post after the star's death.
During her career, Burrell published two cookbooks: the first in 2011 titled 'Cook Like a Rock Star,' which became a New York Times best seller.
In 2013, her second cookbook, 'Own Your Kitchen: Recipes to Inspire and Empower,' hit shelves.
8 Mentors Carla Hall and Anne Burrell.
Jason DeCrow
Burrell graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 1996 and began working at several New York City hot spots, including Felidia and Savoy in Soho.
The kitchen connoisseur also starred as a sous chef on 'Iron Chef America' and appeared on 'Chef Wanted' and 'Chopped.'
She wound up landing her own show, 'Secrets of a Restaurant Chef,' in 2008. The series ran for nine seasons and garnered two Emmy nominations in 2011.
8 Anne Burrell at Ray's Bar in Manhattan.
Brian Zak/Page Six
Off-camera, Burrell tied the knot in 2021 with Claxton after meeting on Bumble in 2018.
'Once you get to be a woman of 50 years old, you don't really think that marriage is going to be on the plate for you,' Burrell told People in 2020. 'I was always really focused on my career and marriage was never a huge thing in my life that I was looking for. Then when I met Stuart, my opinion about all that changed.'
In 2023, Claxton opened up about their marriage, saying, 'It's been wonderful, to say the least. Anne and I hadn't lived together before we moved in and got married, so it's been a whole adventure, but very lovely at the same time.'
8 Chef Anne Burrell at her home.
Brian Zak/Page Six
Burrell's final social media post came just five days before her passing.
'I ran into [the Green Lady of Brooklyn] in my neighborhood today!' she wrote on June 12 beneath a snapshot with iconic New Yorker Elizabeth Eaton Rosenthal. 'I'm not going to lie – I have been keeping an eye out for her.'
'I may or may not have followed her down the street for a minute,' Burrell continued. 'She is just lovely!!!'
8 Anne Burrell attends the 2025 City Harvest Gala.
Getty Images
Rosenthal, 84, who is known for wearing the color green for over 20 years, responded to the Food Network star's post, saying that it 'was so much fun meeting' Burrell.
The celebrity chef is survived by Claxton, his son, Javier, her mother, Marlene, her sister, Jane, and her brother, Ben.