Anne Burrell’s shocking death confirmed as suicide after drug overdose and cardiac arrest reports by NYPD

Anne Burrell, the beloved chef known for her spiky platinum hair, infectious enthusiasm, and no-nonsense culinary coaching, has tragically passed away at 55. The New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed on Thursday that her cause of death was suicide, following “acute intoxication from multiple substances.” She was found unresponsive at her Brooklyn residence on the morning of June 17.



According to NBC News, the Fire Department of New York responded to a cardiac arrest call at Burrell’s home at 7:50 a.m. She was pronounced dead on the scene. At the time, the exact cause was not publicly known, pending an autopsy. The NYPD reported that officers had found an unresponsive woman shortly before 8 a.m., who was later identified as Burrell.


Just months before her untimely death, Burrell had appeared on NBC’s Today show in April 2024, where she showcased a vibrant chicken Milanese with escarole salad. She also competed on House of Knives earlier in the year. Her final TV appearance marked the end of a culinary career that made her a mainstay in American homes.



Anne rose to mainstream fame as the quirky and sharp-tongued host of Worst Cooks in America, which debuted in 2010. Over 27 seasons, she transformed kitchen disasters into confident home cooks with her tough-love approach. She often shared that she loved teaching people who genuinely wanted to learn, especially if they were willing to break bad habits.



Born in Cazenovia, New York, Anne was raised by parents who ran a flower shop. She first earned a degree in English and communications before switching to culinary school, graduating from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in 1996. Her love for food quickly took her from teaching to working in elite kitchens and eventually television fame.


Burrell launched her own show, Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, in 2008. She also authored two cookbooks and participated in multiple charitable causes. Despite her fame, she kept her tastes simple, bacon and her mother’s tuna fish sandwich were her favourites. She always reminded fans that cooking should be joyful, not intimidating.