Latest Updates on the Death of Chef Anne Burrell at 55

More than a month after the chef was found dead in her Brooklyn home in June 2025, officials have released the final report on her cause of death, bringing clarity to a loss that stunned the culinary world.

New details have emerged in the investigation into the death of chef and Food Network star Anne Burrell, more than a month after she was found unresponsive in her Brooklyn home.

On July 24, 2025, the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner officially ruled her death a suicide. According to the report, the cause was listed as acute intoxication resulting from a combination of amphetamine, antihistamines, and alcohol.

The findings confirm earlier suspicions by the New York Police Department, which had been treating the June 17, 2025, death as a likely suicide.

At the scene, Burrell was discovered in the shower, unconscious and unresponsive, surrounded by approximately 100 assorted pills. Her husband, Stuart Claxton, found her between six and seven hours after last seeing her alive around 1 a.m.

Claxton immediately called 911, believing Burrell suffered a cardiac arrest, but by the time emergency responders arrived, her body was already cold, and attempts to revive her were unsuccessful. Since the release of the official findings, Burrell's widower has declined to comment.

As the investigation reaches its conclusion, many are turning their attention to Burrell's life and legacy — both in and beyond the kitchen. From her celebrated career in food television to her journey through love, marriage, and personal reinvention, the following look back offers a fuller picture of the chef the world came to admire.

Alongside these initial reports, many reflected on her life, career, and personal milestones — including her rise in the culinary world, her marriage to Claxton, and her enduring presence on television.

Burrell built a distinguished career in the culinary arts, earning respect for her skills and passion for cooking. She is best known for hosting "Worst Cooks in America," a widely popular series on the "Food Network" where she mentored aspiring chefs. In addition to this show, she also led "Secrets of a Restaurant Chef" and made appearances on the "Iron Chef" series.

Burrell received her formal training at the Culinary Institute of America, successfully completing her studies and graduating in 1996. Early in her career, she also spent time as a culinary instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education in Manhattan.

Burrell was married to Claxton for more than three years. Through this marriage, she became a stepmother to his son, Javier, from a previous relationship. Their romance started after Burrell ended a prior engagement.

In 2012, Ted Allen, Burrell's fellow "Food Network" star, revealed that she was a lesbian. This surprised a few people who knew very little about her private life.

Burrell's representatives confirmed that she had been dating a woman — fellow chef Koren Grieveson — for years, adding that it was no news to people in the culinary world. At the time, the women were engaged and lived together.

While speaking about how she manages her workspace, Burrell mentioned that she loves privacy when cooking, and even her fiancèe, Grieveson, was not welcome in her kitchen.

Unfortunately, the couple split, and Burrell was on a quest to find love again. She registered on the dating site, Bumble, where she met her next fiancè and husband.

While recounting the experience, Burrell stated that she and Claxton clicked almost immediately. Claxton had no idea she was a celebrity chef. She seemed thrilled with his oblivion, believing it helped.

On their first date, Claxton was smitten by his lover's appearance. He told Today that she looked more impressive in person than in photos. Burrell also found her date exciting, and they decided to stick together ever since.

When he popped the life-changing question, Claxton and Burrell were quarantined in her hometown, Cazenovia, New York. First, Claxton got a wedding ring but felt it appropriate to run his decision by Burrell's mom. So he asked for her blessings before enlisting her help for the proposal.

His future mother-in-law owned a townhouse and a magnificent apartment, which they decorated, setting up a beautiful table and an atmosphere suitable for a lovers' date night.

The pair kept their meticulous arrangement a secret without informing Burrell. Eventually, Claxton invited his beloved partner to the dinner date. At the event, the couple was surrounded by family.

At the dinner table, Claxton continuously talked about the past and future of their relationship, including songs they could play at their wedding. This seemed ridiculous to his lover, who felt the conversation was inappropriate considering the setting — they were in the midst of her family.

Still, this did not deter Claxton. Instead, he switched to talking about family and later went down on one knee to propose. In response, an excited Burrell answered with a resounding "yes!"

Although the cookbook author confessed that they were a perfect match from the start, and she knew that the relationship was real, Burrell never envisioned being married.

This was because she had never shared wedding vows with anyone, and Burrell had given up her hopes of having a fairytale wedding, considering her age.

So even though she found love with her ex-fiancèe, the TV host did not consider marriage; instead, she was thrilled about building a successful career.

A few months after the surprise proposal, Burrell and her spouse planned their "magical fairy tale" ceremony to honor the most memorable day of their lives.

The couple wed at Windridge Estates Redbarn 20 in Cazenovia. It was a fantastic event that featured the inclusion of family and friends.

Burrell, who was the most beautiful woman in the room, wore a Caroline Herrera wedding gown. She approached the aisle in a horse and carriage and was followed by her four bridesmaids to the altar.

While Burrell's bridesmaids, including her sister and close pals, dressed in burnt orange "classic fifties-style party dresses," her husband opted for his teenage son, Javier, to be his best man.

Despite all the excitement that comes with being a first-time bride, Burrell decided not to go ahead with a traditional honeymoon.

Claxton looked handsome in his Ralph Lauren-designed tuxedo and Nike high-tops. The celebrity chef mentioned that she wanted the wedding style to be "fun and have a sense of whimsy."

Only the best meals were served at Burrell's wedding ceremony. It took months to perfect the menu, and it included a vegan menu, a pasta dish, and plates of tasty short ribs.

Despite all the excitement of being a first-time bride, Burrell decided not to go ahead with a traditional honeymoon.

After their wedding and after-party, the newlyweds moved into their refurbished Brooklyn apartment. The cookbook author admitted that she would rather be loved up at home than spend her honeymoon in a foreign place.

Burrell's apartment also possesses a concise living room, dining tables and chairs facing the TV, a place for fresh flowers, and large windows that give a beautiful view of the skyline, and it was at this abode that the lovebirds spent their unconventional honeymoon.