Chef Anthony Bourdain's coworker can't get over his death: 'he was so happy last week'

The director of Anthony Bourdain’s show opened up about his passing and shared that he seemed perfectly happy just days before his tragic death.

It came as a shock to Bourdain’s colleagues on his CNN show, Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown, when they learned of the chef’s passing.

Talking to People, Karen Reynolds, the director of CNN PR and Bourdain’s publicist for Parts Unknown, shared that she had no idea how it led to such a tragic fate for Bourdain.

She said, “It’s such a shock we don’t know where this is coming from, how this could possibly happen. When I was working with him last week he was giddy.”

Reynolds shared that Bourdain was particularly happy with the show’s June 3rd, Hong Kong episode, claiming it was a “high water mark” for him, since it was directed by his girlfriend, Asia Argento, and it also featured Christopher Doyle, an Australian-Hong Kong cinematographer.

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She also pointed out how Bourdain kept on texting and emailing her about that episode, which was unusual for the chef since he rarely sent texts and emails.

The CNN PR director recalled that even though she was not able to keep contact with the chef on the week of his death, she said that Bourdain seemed very happy the week before.

“I saw nothing that would indicate what happened like why this would happen. We’re just floored. A complete shock,” added Reynolds.

On June 8th, world-famous chef and Bourdain’s long-term pal Eric Ripert discovered him in his hotel room in France lying unconscious. The two chefs were in France to film an episode of Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown.

A Strasbourg official confirmed his death but did not state its cause. Although, the police declared that the manner of his death had been classified as a suicide.

As for Reynolds, she remembers Bourdain as a dear friend, a “good person,” and a professional chef who is great to have collaborations with. For more stories on Bourdain and his passing, visit our Twitter account, @amomama_usa.