Fans are still grappling with the heartbreaking reality of Anne Burrell’s death.
Now, fresh and emotional eyewitness accounts from her final hours have surfaced.
Beloved TV chef Anne Burrell was found dead in her Brooklyn, New York home early Tuesday morning, June 17. When police and emergency responders arrived, she was “unconscious and unresponsive” and was pronounced dead at the scene. She was just 55 years old.
The cause of death remains unknown, with family and fans awaiting autopsy results from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
By all accounts, Anne Burrell had no indication that anything was wrong. The Worst Cooks in America star appeared upbeat and full of energy the night before her passing. On Monday, June 16, she participated in an improv comedy show at The Second City in Brooklyn the final performance of her improv class, as she shared on Instagram.
“Everyone said she was so great last night and so happy,” a source told People.
Another attendee confirmed, “She was in great spirits during and after the show. It was classic Anne fun, outgoing, and clearly enjoying herself.”
The source added that friends are still “shocked and confused,” as Anne seemed completely fine when the evening ended.
Final Instagram Post
Looking back at Anne Burrell’s social media in the weeks before her sudden passing, it’s clear she was feeling joyful and full of life. Just days before her unexpected death, the Food Network star shared what would become her final Instagram post.
In the photo, Burrell is seen smiling alongside New York City icon Elizabeth Eaton Rosenthal, better known as the Green Lady of Brooklyn. The two posed on a Brooklyn street, and Burrell captioned the moment with her signature humor and enthusiasm:
“I ran into @greenladyofbrooklyn in my neighborhood today!! I’m not going to lie I have been keeping an eye out for her. I may or may not have followed her down the street for a minute. She is just lovely!!!”
Just over a week earlier, on June 9, she told her followers she was “having an ABSOLUTE blast” taking improv classes. In a post before that, she promoted her June 16 improv showcase, sharing selfies with classmates and moments from The Second City venue.
Anne Burrell first shared her excitement about joining an “Improv for Actors” class on Wednesday, March 19, writing:
“Can I just say it is SO much fun and I am learning so SO much!!! It really helps me get out of my shell… as if I needed that!!.”
A few weeks later, on Monday, April 28, she happily announced the start of term two: “I’m THRILLED to be back!!”
Born in 1969, Burrell began her culinary journey teaching at the Institute of Culinary Education in the early 2000s before launching a successful television career. She quickly became a household name through hit shows like Iron Chef America, Chef Wanted, Chopped, and the long-running Worst Cooks in America. Most recently, in March 2025, she appeared on the competition series House of Knives.
Outside the kitchen and off the screen, Burrell was also a bestselling author. Her first cookbook, Cook Like a Rock Star (2011), became a New York Times bestseller. She followed it up with Own Your Kitchen: Recipes to Inspire and Empower, further cementing her place as both a chef and mentor.
Anne is survived by her husband, Stuart Claxton; his son, Javier; her mother, Marlena; and her siblings, Jane and Ben.
In the wake of her passing, her family released a heartfelt statement:
“She 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.”
