Heartbreaking new details continue to emerge following the sudden and tragic passing of beloved celebrity chef Anne Burrell. The 55-year-old Food Network star was found unresponsive in her Brooklyn home on the morning of June 17, 2025, leaving fans, friends, and family reeling from the devastating loss.
Just one night earlier, Burrell appeared to be her usual vibrant self, full of joy and enthusiasm. On June 16, she performed in an improv comedy show at The Second City in Brooklyn — the culmination of her improv class. According to those in attendance, Anne was lively and upbeat throughout the evening.
“Everyone said she was so great last night and so happy,”
a source told *People*. Another witness who spent time with Anne during and after the show echoed that sentiment:
“She was in great spirits… Typical fun, outgoing Anne, having a blast.”
Yet only hours later, tragedy struck. The New York City Police Department confirmed that Burrell was discovered “unconscious and unresponsive” at her home and was pronounced dead at the scene. Now, deeply emotional new information sheds more light on the heartbreaking moment she was found.
According to law enforcement sources speaking to TMZ, it was Anne’s husband, Stuart Claxton, who discovered her lying on the bathroom floor. The two had last seen each other around 1 a.m. After waking six to seven hours later, Claxton found Anne unresponsive in the shower. The Daily Mail reports that he immediately called 911 and was advised to attempt CPR, but by then, Anne’s body was already cold to the touch.
The New York Fire Department later confirmed that emergency responders were dispatched following a report of cardiac arrest at 7:50 a.m. While an official cause of death has yet to be confirmed pending the medical examiner’s autopsy, early reports point toward a sudden cardiac event.
Burrell’s family released a moving statement following her passing:
“Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend — her smile lit up every room she entered. Anne’s light radiated far beyond those she knew, touching millions across the world. Though she is no longer with us, her warmth, spirit, and boundless love remain eternal.”
Born September 21, 1969, in Cazenovia, New York, Anne discovered her passion for cooking at an early age, heavily inspired by her mother’s homemade meals and the culinary icon Julia Child. Her love of food eventually led her to the Culinary Institute of America, where she graduated in 1996. She later became a familiar and beloved face on television through her work on Worst Cooks in America, Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, and Iron Chef America.
Anne’s approach to cooking was refreshingly accessible. She aimed to make cooking fun and approachable, especially for beginners who might otherwise feel intimidated.
“Find a recipe for it. Don’t just try to wing it. Find a recipe, read several recipes and pick out the one you feel most comfortable with… and read it from beginning to end before you start cooking,”
she often advised.
Her philosophy extended beyond recipes. On Worst Cooks in America, Anne became known for encouraging struggling contestants to embrace mistakes, stay organized, and find confidence in the kitchen. Her positive, supportive energy endeared her to millions of fans.
In her personal life, Anne found joy and fulfillment in her relationship with Stuart Claxton. The couple met on Bumble in 2018, got engaged during quarantine in April 2020, and married in October 2021 in an intimate ceremony surrounded by close friends, family, and fellow Food Network personalities.
Reflecting on married life in a 2023 interview with People, Anne shared:
“I have to say, I love being married. We’re together all the time because Stuart works from home. It’s the being together all the time, but it’s also the adventure together.”
Stuart added:
“It’s been wonderful, to say the least.”
The couple created a cozy life together in their newly renovated Brooklyn apartment, where Anne enjoyed decorating their marital home.
“We’ve been getting the marital home set up. And it’s just been so fun to see that all come together,”
she shared happily.
Anne Burrell’s untimely passing leaves an immeasurable void in the culinary world, but her warmth, humor, and passion for making cooking joyful will remain her enduring legacy. Rest in peace, Anne Burrell.
