Burrell was discovered at her Brooklyn residence on the morning of June 17 by her husband, Stuart Claxton, whom she married in 2021. According to reports, Claxton last saw her alive at around 1 a.m. and found her cold and unresponsive in the shower several hours later, at approximately 7 a.m. Emergency responders were called, but Burrell was pronounced dead at 7:50 a.m. A New York City Fire Department spokesperson told Page Six that the 911 caller reported Burrell had suffered a “cardiac arrest” and was “dead on arrival.”
Though the exact cause and manner of her death have not yet been confirmed, an autopsy is pending. The circumstances surrounding her passing are now being closely examined by investigators, including the presence of a large quantity of pills at the scene.
Just hours before her death, Burrell had performed in an improv comedy show at The Second City New York and was reportedly in high spirits, making the suddenness of her death all the more shocking to fans and colleagues alike.
Burrell, a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America in 1996, rose to prominence as a sous chef on Iron Chef America. She went on to host Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, which aired for nine seasons and earned her an Emmy nomination. She was best known as the host of Worst Cooks in America, and also appeared on numerous Food Network programs including Chopped, Chef Wanted, and Food Network Star.
Her family confirmed her passing in a statement: “Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend — her smile lit up every room she entered… her warmth, spirit, and boundless love remain eternal.”
Food Network also paid tribute, writing, “Anne was a remarkable person and culinary talent… Our thoughts are with Anne’s family, friends and fans during this time of tremendous loss.”