- Beloved Food Network chef Anne Burrell passed away on June 17 at age 55, and the New York City medical examiner has now ruled her death a suicide.
- She was found unresponsive in her Brooklyn home, with the initial 911 call reporting cardiac arrest.
- Burrell’s family remembered her as a radiant and loving presence who touched lives around the world, though they declined to comment on the official findings.
It's a somber day in the Food Network community. For the past month, fans and loved ones have mourned the loss of beloved chef Anne Burrell, who passed away on June 17 in her Brooklyn home at the age of 55. Today, the New York City medical examiner ruled her death a suicide. According to the report, her cause of death was "acute intoxication due to the combined effects of diphenhydramine, ethanol, cetirizine, and amphetamine"—a combination of substances that includes alcohol, antihistamines, and medication commonly used to treat ADHD.
As previously reported, the New York City Police Department found Burrell "unconscious and unresponsive" when they arrived at approximately 7:50 a.m. Emergency Medical Services pronounced her deceased at the scene. The initial 911 call indicated she had experienced "cardiac arrest."
The night before her passing, Burrell was allegedly in good spirits, performing at an improv show at The Second City in New York.
In a statement following her death, Burrell’s family shared: "Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend—her smile lit up every room she entered. Anne's light radiated far beyond those she knew, touching millions across the world. Though she is no longer with us, her warmth, spirit, and boundless love remain eternal." The family declined to comment on the medical examiner's findings.
Expertise: Food Reviews, Trends, & Science
Education: B.A. in Psychobiology from Wheaton College, MA, and M.S. in Professional Writing from New York University
About Me: Amanda Mactas is an associate editor at Delish, where she works on feature and news stories, covering everything from the launch of Whoopi Goldberg’s Prosecco line to ranking Cheetos to reporting on the links between tap water and cancer. In addition to Delish, Amanda’s work has been featured in Eat This Not That, Time Out, Women’s Health, Global Traveler Magazine, and PureWow. She also serves as an expert panelist for USA Today’s 10Best Travel Awards. When she’s not dreaming or writing about food, she’s likely catching up on the latest true crime, watching horror movies, searching for a great matcha latte, or has her nose in a book somewhere (hopefully in another country).
