Celebrity chef and beloved Food Network personality Anne Burrell has died at the age of 55, the New York City Police Department confirmed. Officers from the 76th Precinct responded to a call at approximately 7:50 a.m. on Tuesday, June 17, for an “unconscious and unresponsive 55-year-old female” at a Brooklyn address. Emergency medical services arrived on scene and pronounced her dead.
While authorities have not officially released the name pending family notification, public records confirm that the address provided by police matches Burrell’s known residence in Brooklyn, N.Y.
The exact cause of death remains under investigation and will be determined by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner following an autopsy.
Burrell’s family released a heartfelt statement shortly after the news broke:
“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.”
A trained chef and dynamic television presence, Burrell rose to fame through her work on shows such as Iron Chef America, Chef Wanted, Chopped, and Worst Cooks in America. She also served as a teacher at the Institute of Culinary Education before transitioning full-time to television in the early 2000s.
Most recently, in March 2025, Burrell competed on the reality series House of Knives. Beyond the screen, she was a two-time cookbook author, penning Cook Like a Rock Star, a New York Times bestseller, and Own Your Kitchen: Recipes to Inspire and Empower.
Burrell is survived by her husband Stuart Claxton — whom she met on Bumble in 2018 and married in October 2021 — as well as his son Javier, her mother Marlene, sister Jane, brother Ben, and her children Isabella, Amelia, and Nicolas.
Reflecting on her marriage in a 2023 interview with PEOPLE, Burrell said:
“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.”
Anne Burrell’s vibrant energy and culinary charisma touched countless lives. She leaves behind a legacy of passion, humor, and joy — both in and out of the kitchen.