The New York Police Department confirmed that a “suicidal note” was found in the primary bedroom of Anne Burrell’s home in Brooklyn, New York, following her death on June 17, 2025.
In a new report obtained by PEOPLE, “The investigator also discovered ‘suicidal’ journal entries on a bed in the same room.”
CONTENT WARNING:
The NYPD confirmed that “in the early morning hours of June 17, 2025, a redacted individual ‘married to Anne,’ noticed that the bed was made in their room, which is not normal.”
Stuart Claxton, Anne’s husband, reportedly found her on the bathroom floor “with a bunch of over-the-counter pills on the floor.” He attempted to wake her by “shaking her and slapping her face,” and immediately called 911 when she was unresponsive.
According to Stuart, Anne had “never attempted suicide in the past” and “never talked about it.” She hadn’t shown “any signs that she would do something like this,” according to the police report.
The New York City medical examiner’s office declared Anne’s cause of death as “acute intoxication.” It was “due to the combined effects of diphenhydramine, ethanol, cetirizine, and amphetamine.”
Anne’s career:
Food Network audiences met Anne as a sous chef on Iron Chef America. Her charisma and culinary chops led to her own Emmy-nominated show, Secrets of a Restaurant Chef. It premiered in 2008 and ran for nine seasons.
From there, Chef Anne became Food Network staple, also appearing on Chef Wanted, Chopped, Food Network Star.
Also, Anne was best known as the longtime host of Worst Cooks in America. Her passion for food and mentorship turned disastrous kitchen hopefuls into capable cooks.
Most recently, Anne was on the competition series House of Knives, which premiered in March 2025.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.
