The New York Police Department (NYPD) reportedly released chilling images from the scene of Anne Burrell’s death in 2025, shedding light on her final moments.
NYPD shared a photograph with People that showed dozens of pills in a dish by the famous Food Network chef’s toilet bowl. Bottles of Advil, Zyrtec, Motrin and a ValuMeds allergy-relief antihistamine were photographed on the bathroom floor “lying sideways,” the outlet reported. Another picture captured cigarette butts on the floor near a lighter.
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 14: Chef Anne Burrell prepares a dish at the Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Coca-Cola – Grand Tasting presented by ShopRite featuring Samsung® culinary demonstrations presented by Mastercard at Pier 94 on October 14, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images for NYCWFF)
The police department also released videos to People showing Burrell and her husband, Stuart Claxton, arriving at their Brooklyn apartment the evening of her death.
A video released by the police reportedly showed Burrell and Claxton entering the lobby of their building. Burrell leaned against a wall while waiting for the elevator. Once she entered the elevator, she appeared to lean against the wall with her hands crossed. The video reportedly showed Burrell turning her head away from her husband while he appeared to be gesturing and speaking to her. People reported that Burrell seemed like she was going to say something, but stopped herself from doing so.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 22: (L-R) Anne Burrell and Stuart Claxton attend as City Harvest Presents The 2025 Gala: Carnaval at Cipriani 42nd Street on April 22, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for City Harvest)
The beloved chef died by suicide June 17, 2025, at the age of 55.
The New York City (NYC) medical examiner’s office determined her cause of death was “acute intoxication due to the combined effects of diphenhydramine, ethanol, cetirizine, and amphetamine,” according to People.
A police report claimed they found a “suicidal note” and “suicidal” journal entries in the main bedroom of Burrell’s home, the outlet previously reported.
The report noted that a redacted individual married to Burrell “noticed the bed was made in their room which is not normal,” in the early morning hours of the day Burrell died.
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 19: Chef Anne Burrell poses with her book “Own Your Own Kitchen” at the Grand Tasting presented by ShopRite featuring KitchenAid® culinary demonstrations presented by MasterCard during the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival Presented By FOOD & WINE at Pier 94 on October 19, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for NYCWFF)
Initial reports indicated that Claxton discovered Burrell on the bathroom floor “with a bunch of over the counter pills on the floor,” and he tried to wake her by “shaking her and slapping her face.” He proceeded to dial 911 for help when she remained unresponsive, according to People. (RELATED: ‘Keyboard Wizard’: Co-Founder Of Iconic Rock Band Ambrosia Dies At 75. Bandmate Says He Get Hit By Car At ‘Full Speed’)
Claxton told police Burrell had “never attempted suicide” and claimed she had “never talked about it,” asserting she had shown no signs of doing “something like this,” the outlet reported, citing the police report.
He has not been accused of any wrongdoing, according to People.
