Anne Burrell's death being probed as possible drug overdose after body was discovered surrounded by pills

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK: Food Network star Anne Burrell died at the age of 55 on June 17, and authorities are now investigating the shocking circumstances surrounding her death as a possible drug overdose.

According to an internal NYPD report, Burrell was "discovered in the shower unconscious and unresponsive surrounded by approximately (100) assorted pills," as per People. She was pronounced dead at the scene after a 911 call was placed by her husband, Stuart Claxton.

Anne Burrell’s cause of death is yet to be confirmed

On Friday, The New York Times reported that while an autopsy has been completed, the official cause and manner of Anne Burrell’s death remain undetermined, according to a spokesperson for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

In the weeks leading up to her death, the Food Network star and bestselling author was actively engaged with friends, family, and charitable efforts. Less than two weeks before her death, Burrell visited CareRite Centers, a network of nursing homes in Florida, on June 4 and 5. 

There, she prepared meals for residents and trained in-house chefs as part of a healthcare dining initiative aimed at elevating "the standard of dining in healthcare” with food she described as “good for the soul,” according to a press release.

Her time with residents, patients, families, and staff in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Boca Raton was described as “nothing short of spectacular.”

In her final days, Burrell also explored new creative outlets. The night before her death, she performed in an improv show at The Second City New York in Brooklyn, her final performance following a completed course in improv, as shared on her Instagram.

Who was Anne Burrell?

Anne Burrell, remembered as a “remarkable person and culinary talent,” was born on September 21, 1969, in New York. Her passion for cooking was sparked at an early age, inspired by her mother’s home-cooked meals. Before pursuing a formal culinary education, Burrell earned a degree in English and Communications from Canisius College.

She later attended the prestigious Culinary Institute of America and further refined her skills in Italy at the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners. There, she deepened her love for Italian cuisine through hands-on apprenticeships across the country.

Upon returning to the US in 1998, Burrell worked as a sous chef at Felidia and went on to lead the kitchen at Savoy in SoHo, where she crafted Mediterranean-inspired dishes over an open wood fire. She also spent over three years teaching at the Institute of Culinary Education, sharing her expertise with aspiring chefs.

Burrell later returned to the kitchen and launched her television career as a sous chef on 'Iron Chef America'. She quickly rose to prominence with her own Food Network series, 'Secrets of a Restaurant Chef', which ran for nine seasons and earned an Emmy nomination. 

She became a familiar face on the network, appearing on shows like 'Chopped, Chef Wanted', and 'Food Network Star', and most recently competed in 'House of Knives' in 2025.

A talented author as well, Burrell published two cookbooks, including the New York Times bestseller 'Cook Like a Rock Star', as per 6ABC.

She is survived by her husband, Stuart Claxton, whom she married in October 202, and his son, Javier; her mother, Marlene; her sister, Jane, and Jane’s children, Isabella, Amelia, and Nicolas; and her brother, Ben.