Renowned celebrity chef Anne Burrell tragically passed away at the age of 55 in her Brooklyn residence on Tuesday, leaving a wave of shock among friends, colleagues, and fans alike.
The unexpected loss of the Food Network star has sent ripples through the culinary community, with many expressing disbelief at the news. Burrell, who recently found love and got married, was reportedly in “high spirits” according to those closest to her.
However, it has come to light that, behind the scenes, Burrell faced her own battles. A fellow celebrity chef revealed that she had been struggling privately, a stark reminder that public personas often mask personal challenges.
According to TMZ, a number of pills were discovered nearby when Burrell’s husband found her unresponsive in the shower. The New York City Fire Department confirmed that the 911 call was categorized as a ‘cardiac arrest.’
TMZ reported: “Late Food Network star Anne Burrell had a bunch of pills nearby when her husband found her unresponsive on their shower floor … TMZ has confirmed.”
Law enforcement sources indicated that “a large quantity of” unidentified pills were located near where Burrell passed away in her Brooklyn home. Her husband, Stuart Claxton, discovered her unconscious early Tuesday morning, lying on the bathroom floor. Claxton last saw her alive around 1 AM, and found her unresponsive about six to seven hours later, after which he immediately called 911.
Sources revealed that the 911 operator instructed Claxton to perform CPR; however, by the time help arrived, Burrell’s body was reportedly cold, raising questions about whether CPR was attempted.
The official cause of death has yet to be determined by the medical examiner, but a representative from the NYC Fire Department stated that the incident was reported as a cardiac arrest.
