Investigators Find 'Suicidal Note' in Home of anne burrell
Police say a suicidal note and journal entries were discovered in the Brooklyn home of television chef anne burrell after she was found dead on June 17, 2025 (ET). Authorities later determined her death was a suicide following toxicology results released in July.
Scene, evidence and medical findings
Investigators were called to the residence after Burrell’s husband, Stuart Claxton, found her unconscious and surrounded by more than 100 pills. Emergency responders pronounced her dead at the scene. Officials later recovered a written note described as suicidal and discovered multiple journal entries in the shared home; details of the writings have not been released.
The New York City medical examiner’s office issued an autopsy finding that the cause of death was acute intoxication resulting from the combined effects of diphenhydramine, ethanol, cetirizine, and amphetamine. The agency concluded the manner of death was suicide in July.
Statements from family and spouse
Claxton told investigators that Burrell had not expressed suicidal thoughts to him previously and that he observed no signs suggesting she would take her own life. Friends and relatives described the chef as a warm, effusive presence whose career and personality touched many.
Burrell’s family issued a statement following her death that emphasized her impact on those around her, saying her light extended far beyond the circle of immediate loved ones. They wrote that her warmth, spirit and boundless love remain eternal.
Legacy, outreach and mental health reminder
Known widely as a television chef and culinary personality, Burrell built a career that brought her into homes and kitchens across the country. The circumstances of her death have renewed public conversation about the pressures faced by people in the public eye and the complexities of mental health.
If you or a loved one are struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing or texting 988. Help is available 24 hours a day.
The investigation into Burrell’s death remains a matter for law enforcement and the medical examiner, who provided the toxicology and manner-of-death determinations. Authorities have not released the full contents of the writings found at the scene, citing the ongoing nature of parts of the inquiry and respect for the family’s privacy.
