Food Network Star Anne Burrell's Cause Of Death Revealed

Celebrity chef Anne Burrell's cause of death is now known.

Burrell died by suicide, the New York Office of Chief Medical Examiner confirms to our sister site Deadline. The exact cause was acute intoxication due to the combined effects of diphenhydramine, ethanol, cetirizine, and amphetamine.

The chef and Food Network star died June 17 at her home in Brooklyn, NY. She was 55.

Burrell's long tenure at Food Network began when she was one of Mario Batali's sous chefs on Iron Chef America in 2005. She soon became one of the channel's best-known faces, appearing on Chopped, The Best Thing I Ever Ate, The Next Iron Chef, Secrets of a Restaurant Chef and Chef Wanted With Anne Burrell. She also was the host of Worst Cooks in America, though she stepped away from the show this year; Antonia Lofaso took over in her stead.

Food Network paid tribute to Burrell in a statement posted on social media: "We are deeply saddened to share the news that beloved chef, Anne Burrell, passed away this morning. Anne was a remarkable person and culinary talent — teaching, competing and always sharing the importance of food in her life and the joy that a delicious meal can bring. Our thoughts are with Anne's family, friends and fans during this time of tremendous loss."

Burrell's culinary colleagues also posted remembrances to social media after her passing. Rachael Ray, who co-hosted Worst Cooks in America with Burrell for four seasons, wrote, "I can't quite believe it — such a strong, vibrant, fearless woman, so full of life and love, could be gone so soon... Despite being surrounded by incredible chefs, she never once made me feel self-conscious about not being one — she always treated me as one of the gang. When we hosted Worst Cooks together, we had the most incredible laughs."

Restaurant: Impossible host Robert Irvine, who co-hosted Worst Cooks with Burrell for three seasons, posted on X: "I am stunned and deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Anne Burrell. Anne wasn't just a fiery chef. She was a radiant spirit who lit up every room she entered... She believed in nurturing culinary potential and celebrating small victories, whether in an amateur cook or on a charity fundraiser. That was Anne. Uncompromising in her standards, yet tender in her mentorship."

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