Investigators Reveal That Anne Burrell Left a Suicide Note, Detailed Suicidal Thoughts in Journal Before Death

Anne Burrell, the Food Network star best known for Worst Cooks in America, died suddenly in June 2025. While she was laid to rest months ago, new details surrounding her death by suicide are just emerging. A new police report reveals that Burrell was battling suicidal thoughts for months before her death, though her husband insisted she showed no outward signs of feeling despondent.

Anne Burrell’s death was ruled a suicide

Anne Burrell died suddenly and unexpectedly in June 2025. News of the celebrity chef’s death spread quickly after first responders were seen at her residence in Brooklyn. It was later revealed that Burrell’s husband, Stuart Claxton, called 911 after finding his wife unresponsive in their bathroom. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

As the chef was honored by friends and laid to rest by family, details of her final evening emerged. Nothing hinted at the cause of death that was to come. Burrell reportedly spent time at an Improv performance the evening before her death, returned home, and was last seen by her husband around 1 am. She was reportedly in good spirits, but rumors that the chef’s body had been found surrounded by pills muddied the narrative quickly.

In July, a medical examiner’s report revealed that Anne Burrell died by suicide. The official report noted  that she died from “acute intoxication due to the combined effects of diphenhydramine, ethanol, cetirizine, and amphetamine.” Immediately following the announcement, fans flooded social media to question if the medical examiner was, perhaps, mistaken, and Burrell’s death was actually accidental. The new details reveal exactly why the ruling was made.

A note and journal entries give insight into her state of mind

Fans have questioned Anne Burrell’s death by suicide for months. After all, the beloved chef seemed so bubbly, talented, and full of life. As it turns out, she was reportedly suffering in silence for many months before her death. Her husband was just as shocked as fans, though. New details of the investigation into her death have emerged, revealing she not only left a suicide note, but also had written about suicidal thoughts leading up to her death.

According to a police report obtained by People, investigators located a suicidal note near Burrell’s belongings while investigating her passing. They also noted that police found Burrell’s journal in the primary bedroom suite. In the journal, the acclaimed chef documented suicidal thoughts. The actual contents of the note and journal have not been made public.

The same report revealed that Claxton reported no warning signs. He went on to tell investigators that Burrell had no prior suicide attempts, never spoke of suicidal thoughts, and had no known medical conditions. Though the use of cocaine was noted in the report, Claxton insisted it had been an issue years earlier. No cocaine was found in her system.

Anne Burrell and Stuart Claxton met on Bumble in 2018. They announced their engagement in 2020 and married in October 2021 in Burrell’s hometown of Cazenovia, New York. Burrell never shied away from discussing her marriage to Claxton, though she had been private about her previous relationships. The pair lived together in Brooklyn until Burrell’s death. Their union appeared to be a happy one.