Nearly two months have passed since Food Network star Anne Burrell’s passing, but those closest to her are still struggling to believe she intended to end her life.
According to the New York City medical examiner, the 55-year-old chef died by suicide, with the cause listed as “acute intoxication due to the combined effects of diphenhydramine, ethanol, cetirizine and amphetamine.”
The NYPD reported that Burrell was found unconscious and unresponsive in her home, and she was pronounced dead at the scene. It’s still unclear whether the substances in her system were prescribed or obtained otherwise.
Friends remain in disbelief. Sources who spoke with the New York Post said Burrell seemed upbeat and full of life at a show just hours before her death.
“Who knows what happened after that. It’s all sort of puzzling,” one source said. “She lived life. She was not a downer – she lived. For her, every day was a party in Anne’s world. Everyone was shocked. There was no one saying, ‘the last time I saw Anne she was in a dark place.’”
While they acknowledge Burrell enjoyed partying, some think she may have made a tragic mistake while intoxicated.
Burrell’s former business partner Phil Casaceli shared, “I was like, ‘No way. I don’t believe it.’ It doesn’t all make sense. She goes out, she has a great night. I don’t believe it. To me, it just seems like an accidental thing. She was always smiling.”
In a statement to People after her death, Burrell’s loved ones remembered her with deep affection: “Anne 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.”
