Cause of death revealed for reality TV celebrity chef who died at 55

Anne Burrell died by suicide, according to the New York Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

The chief medical examiner listed the cause of death as “acute intoxication due to the combined effects of diphenhydramine, ethanol, cetirizine, and amphetamine” (per the New York Times).

Burrell, a former restaurant chef who hosted the Food Network’s “Secrets of a Restaurant Chef” and co-hosted “Worst Cooks in America,” was discovered unconscious and unresponsive in her Brooklyn home on June 17.

Authorities pronounced her dead at the scene. She was 55.

Beginning on Food Network on “Iron Chef,” Burrell served as sous-chef to Mario Batali from the show’s beginning in 2005.

She competed on “The Next Iron Chef Super Chefs” and was a contestant on “Chopped All-Stars Tournament.”

Her first headlining act came in 2010 as a co-host and mentor on the first season of the network’s “Worst Cooks in America,” which she led for 27 of its 28 seasons. She also hosted “Chef Wanted With Anne Burrell” and was a regular guest talent across Food Network’s programming, with appearances on “Rachael Ray,” “The Kitchen” and “Guilty Pleasures.”

Beyond television, Burrell served on the Garden of Dreams Foundation Advisory Board and was a celebrity ambassador for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. She opened her own restaurant, Phil & Anne’s Good Time Lounge, in Brooklyn in 2017.

The final season of “Worst Cooks in America,” which sees Burrell return to the series, debuts in July on Food Network. She co-hosted the episodes with chef Gabe Bertaccini.

“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,” the Food Network said in a statement after her death.

If you or anyone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources.

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