Anne Burrell investigators share new details on chef's death

Edward Segarra, USA TODAYWed, February 18, 2026 at 7:50 PM UTC

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Anne Burrell investigators share new details on chef's death

Nearly a year after Anne Burrell was found dead in her Brooklyn, New York, home, new details on the chef's death have been released, according to a report.

The 55-year-old culinarian, beloved for her numerous appearances on the Food Network, died on June 17. The following month, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in New York City ruled the manner of death as suicide.

Burrell's cause of death was acute intoxication due to the combined effects of diphenhydramine, ethanol, cetirizine and amphetamine, the medical examiner determined.

According to a new report from the New York City Police Department obtained by People magazine, authorities confirmed that a "suicidal note" was left in the "primary bedroom" of Burrell's home and later discovered by an investigator.

Details on the note's contents were not shared in the report, per the outlet's Feb. 18 article. Aside from the note, police said the investigator also found "suicidal" journal entries on a bed in the same room.

USA TODAY has reached out to the New York City Police Department and Burrell's representatives for comment.

Burrell, a recognizable figure on the culinary channel thanks to her spiky platinum blonde hairdo and tart wit, made her Food Network debut in 2005 on the cutthroat competition series "Iron Chef America," where she served as a sous chef for Iron Chef Mario Batali. She also hosted the shows "Secrets of a Restaurant Chef" and "Worst Cooks in America."

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Anne Burrell dies: Chef and Food Network star was 55

1 / 0Passages 2026 – Robert Duvall, James Van Der Beek, more stars we lost

Robert Duvall, the Academy Award-winning actor known for his roles in Hollywood classics such as "The Godfather" and "Apocalypse Now," has died at 95.

Duvall died "peacefully" at home on Feb. 15 in Middleburg, Virginia, a representative for the actor confirmed. He was with his wife, Luciana Duvall.

During a seven-decade stage, TV and screen acting career, Duvall disappeared into a stunning range of strong-willed characters, leading to seven Oscar nominations and a best actor win for his role as a down-and-out country singer in 1983's "Tender Mercies."

Anne Burrell's husband says she had no history of suicide attempts

The insights of Burrell's husband, Stuart Claxton, on the chef's shocking death are also coming to light with the release of the New York police's report.

According to People magazine, the New York City Police Department said that an individual "married to Anne" found Burrell on the bathroom floor with a "bunch of over-the-counter pills on the floor." Claxton attempted to wake the chef up by "shaking her and slapping her face" and later called 911 when she was unresponsive.

How did Anne Burrell die? Chef's cause of death revealed

In a subsequent interview with police, Claxton told authorities that Burrell had "never attempted suicide in the past," nor had she shown "any signs that she would do something like this."

If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 or visiting 988lifeline.org.

Contributing: Jay Stahl, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Anne Burrell death report reveals chef left 'suicidal note'

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