Food Network chef Anne Burrell died by suicide, acute intoxication, medical examiner confirms

It’s been just over five weeks since Burrell was found “unconscious and unresponsive” in her Brooklyn home on June 17, according to police. The City of New York Office of Chief Medical Examiner concluded its investigation on Thursday, determining suicide as her manner of death.

The chef died by “acute intoxication due to the combined effects of diphenhydramine, ethanol, cetirizine, and amphetamine,” the medical examiner said.

Two of the medications found in Burrell’s system, Diphenhydramine and Cetirizine are antihistamines, which according to the National Library of Medicine are used to block the “substance in the body that causes allergic symptoms.”

Chef Anne Burrell died by suicide, ABC News confirmed.

Ethanol, a chemical compound found in alcohol, “represents the most commonly used drug worldwide,” according to the National Institutes of Health, and excessive alcohol consumption can lead to ethanol poisoning.

Amphetamine, which is commonly used to treat symptoms of ADHD, should not be taken in combination with alcohol, per the National Library of Medicine.

While these drugs can be taken individually for over-the-counter or prescribed purposes, it is not recommended to mix these drugs due to possible unpredictable combined effects.

Food Network chef Anne Burrell died by suicide, acute intoxication, medical examiner confirms

Anne Burrell, the Food Network chef beloved for her wit and talent in the kitchen, died by suicide last month after being found unresponsive in her Brooklyn home, New York officials said Thursday.

The cause of death was confirmed by New York City’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, citing acute intoxication from multiple substances.

Without identifying Burrell, the fire department said that it responded to her address at 7:50 a.m. on the morning of June 17 for a report of cardiac arrest. She was declared dead upon arrival.

Burrell loved the culinary arts since childhood, watching her mother and Julia Child as she grew up. She studied at the Culinary Institute of America and later became a teacher before embarking on her television career.

Chef Anne Burrell in 2017.Ilya S. Savenok / Getty Images for New York City Wine and Food Festival

She started as a sous chef on “Iron Chef America” and was later offered her own show, “Secrets of a Restaurant Chef,” which aired for four years.

Burrell appeared on different programs over the years, including “Chef Wanted,” “Chopped” and “Food Network Star.” She was given the job of hosting “Worst Cooks in America” in 2010.