Celebrity3 min(s) read
Food network star Anne Burrell left suicide note in her room
Renowned chef and Food Network star Anne Burrell, best known for her role as the host of Worst Cooks in America, passed away on June 17, 2025, at the age of 55.
Her death was later confirmed to be a suicide.
As new details emerge, the circumstances surrounding her passing paint a heartbreaking picture of a woman who had so much more to give.
The Discovery and Cause of Death
Burrell was discovered unconscious in the bathroom of her Brooklyn home in the early morning hours of June 17, 2025.
According to reports from the New York Police Department (NYPD), her husband, Stuart Claxton, found her after noticing that their bed was made - something unusual in their household.
Upon investigation, he found Burrell unresponsive on the bathroom floor, surrounded by over-the-counter pills.
He immediately attempted to revive her, shaking her and slapping her face, but she remained unresponsive.
A 911 call was placed at 7:50AM, with the caller expressing concern that Burrell might be suffering from cardiac arrest.
When emergency medical services (EMS) arrived, they pronounced Burrell deceased on the scene.
A source from the New York City Fire Department later confirmed that Burrell was "dead on arrival" (DOA).
The official cause of death, as determined by the New York City Medical Examiner’s office, was "acute intoxication due to the combined effects of diphenhydramine, ethanol, cetirizine, and amphetamine."
These substances include antihistamines (diphenhydramine and cetirizine), alcohol (ethanol), and a common ADHD medication (amphetamine). The medical examiner ruled that Burrell’s death was a suicide.
A Suicidal Note and Journal Entries
As part of the investigation, the NYPD discovered a "suicidal note" and journal entries in Burrell’s primary bedroom, per PEOPLE.
These entries, which were found on the bed, revealed the tragic emotional state she was experiencing. The presence of these items suggested that Burrell had been struggling privately with her mental health in the days leading up to her death.
Claxton, who had been married to Burrell for nearly four years, was reportedly shocked by the events.
He told police that his wife had never shown any signs of suicidal intent or made any comments about self-harm in the past.
He said: “She never attempted suicide in the past” and “never talked about it,” according to the police report.
A Final Performance
Just hours before her death, Burrell had participated in a lively improv performance at The Second City New York in Brooklyn.
Those who saw her perform that night described her as vibrant, full of energy, and in great spirits.
Actress Jane Margolis, who performed alongside her, told PEOPLE: “She was having the best night. She’d come up with these one-liners out of the blue that were just hysterical. She really was so into it.”
Another source who attended the show echoed this sentiment, saying that Burrell was “typical fun, outgoing Anne, having a blast.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.