Anne Burrell Left Suicide Note, Police Reveal Details of Her Death
A new police report confirms that Chef Anne Burrell left a “suicidal note” the morning of her death. The note was found in the primary bedroom of her Brooklyn, NY home by an investigator after her passing on June 17, 2025, according to the New York Police Department.
Investigators also discovered several additional “suicidal” journal entries on a bed in the same room, the report said.
The “suicidal note” left by Chef Anne Burrell was discovered in the primary bedroom of her home by an investigator. The Food Network personality was found unconscious around 7:50 a.m., according to an NYPD spokesperson.
Emergency responders arrived quickly but pronounced Burrell dead at the scene. She was 55 years old.
Sources later confirmed to The Post that Burrell’s husband, Stuart Claxton, discovered her body on the shower floor two days after her death.
Food Network Star Anne Burrell Died by Suicide at 55, Police and Medical Report Confirm
The Food Network personality, known for Worst Cooks in America, passed away on June 17, 2025, at age 55. Sources reported she was found unconscious next to numerous pills, though officials initially cautioned against speculating on their role in her death.
On June 20, 2025, the NYPD told Page Six that Burrell’s death was being investigated as a possible drug overdose. A month later, it was confirmed she had died by suicide.
The New York City medical examiner’s office determined her death was caused by “acute intoxication due to the combined effects of diphenhydramine, ethanol, cetirizine, and amphetamine.”
Sources reported that Anne Burrell was found unconscious next to dozens of pills. According to the New York City medical examiner, the substances involved included diphenhydramine and cetirizine (both antihistamines), ethanol (found in alcohol), and amphetamine (commonly used to treat ADHD).
In her final Instagram post, shared just five days before her death, Burrell appeared happy and healthy.
Fellow Food Network star Melba Wilson described Burrell as “healthy and vibrant” prior to her “shock” death, telling TMZ, “To wake up yesterday, or to hear yesterday, that she’s no longer with us, is devastating. It’s shocking. It’s unbelievable to know that someone so full of life is no longer with us.”
Anne Burrell’s Death Shocked Friends and Colleagues
The passing of Food Network star Anne Burrell came as a shock to many, including fellow chef Melba Wilson, who described her as “healthy and vibrant” shortly before her death. Wilson added, “That’s why this is such a big shock to us. She was healthy. She was vibrant. She was beautiful.”
However, a close friend told Page Six that Burrell had faced personal struggles. “I know she kind of struggled — once she was on TV and was on her way to be a TV celebrity chef,” the friend said days after her passing.
A close friend of Anne Burrell said the celebrity chef sometimes hid her struggles behind her outgoing persona. “She was famous, she was doing the food and wine circuit stuff. She was busy — I kind of felt like she wasn’t totally happy,” the friend told reporters. “People with big personalities sometimes mask things.”
Despite her larger-than-life TV presence, Burrell reportedly faced loneliness and fears of addiction stemming from her upbringing in a household affected by alcoholism. “She had, like the rest of us, demons … She didn’t let me in too much. [As a TV star], you have so many high moments. In private, you’re going to have a letdown,” the friend added
