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Anne Burrell Left a Suicidal Note on Day of Her Death, According to Police
Anne Burrell’s death left her loved ones reeling.
And for her husband Stuart Claxton, the nature of her passing—which involved a note expressing suicidal ideation, per a police report obtained by People—will always remain a heartbreaking mystery.
According to the report, Stuart—whose name was redacted but was identified as an individual “married to Anne”—told police the chef had “never attempted suicide in the past” and had “never talked about it.”
Additionally, he shared his wife had never shown nor had he ever witnessed “any signs that she would do something like this.” He also confirmed to law enforcement that Anne did not have any medical conditions and that she had used cocaine in the past but that had occurred “a few years” before her 2025 death.
According to the report, Stuart found Anne, 55, on the morning of her June 17 death in their bathroom with “a bunch of over the counter pills on the floor” alongside a “ceramic bowl filled with over the counter allergy and over the counter pain medication.”
He then attempted, per police, to wake the Food Network star by “shaking her and slapping her face” before calling 911 when she remained unresponsive.
E! News previously reached out to the NYPD for comment but did not heard back.
Photo by Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images for NYCWFF
Anne’s death was previously ruled a suicide by the New York City medical examiner’s office in July, with the cause of her death attributed to “acute intoxication due to the combined effects of diphenhydramine, ethanol, cetirizine, and amphetamine.”
The beloved chef’s unexpected passing came as a shock to her fans, peers and colleagues alike, many of whom paid tribute to her lasting legacy.
“Anne was a remarkable person and culinary talent—teaching, competing and always sharing the importance of food in her life and the joy that a delicious meal can bring,” a spokesperson for the Food Network said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with Anne’s family, friends and fans during this time of tremendous loss.”
Meanwhile, her family—including stepson Javier Claxton, mom Marlene Burrell and sister Jane Burrell—remembered how her “smile lit up every room she entered.”
“Anne’s light radiated far beyond those she knew, touching millions across the world,” continued the statement shared with E! News at the time. Though she is no longer with us, her warmth, spirit, and boundless love remain eternal.”
For more on the life Anne and Stuart shared together, read on.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for City Harvest
Anne Burrell & Stuart Claxton's Online Meet-Cute
The couple tied the knot in 2021 after connecting on the dating app Bumble in 2018.
ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images
A Blended Family
Stuart is dad to one son, Javier, born in 2005, who lived with his father and Anne in their Brooklyn home.
Anne Burrell/Instagram
A Glimpse into Anne & Stuart's Romance
Anne was very open about her relationship with Stuart, sharing highlights from the pair's date nights and birthdays. In one 2023 post, she gushed about her husband, calling him her "Prince Charming."
"You promised me lots of love and laughter," she added, "and have absolutely fulfilled that promise!!!"
Anne Burrell/Instagram
Travel Buddies
Anne often shared highlights of her trips with Stuart, with their favorite place being Bermuda, as she wrote in a 2022 Instagram post, "My 4 favorite B’s… my boo, beach, backgammon and Bermuda!!! A perfect day."
Anne Burrell/Instagram
Jammin' Out
In a Daily Mail interview in April 2025, Anne admitted that while she isn't much of a "jam girl" she would "occasionally" make it for Stuart. As she recalled, "I make scones and we have jam then."
Anne Burrell/Instagram
A Shared Love of Competition
Anne, a devout New York Rangers fan, often brought Stuart along to cheer on her team at Madison Square Garden, and the couple also regularly attended the U.S. Open every year.
If you or someone you know needs help, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.
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