Anne Burrell was missing from the “Worst Cooks in America” months before her sad death aged 55.
The TV chef’s husband found her cold, unresponsive body in the bathroom as police have released more heartbreaking details.
Fans were shocked that she had been missing from the celebrity edition of the competition series, replaced by Jeff Mauro and Antonia Lofaso.
The Food Network gave no reason for her absence for Season 28 of the popular show but fans were quick to speculate on social media:
“Why aren’t you in Worst Cooks? It’s not the same,” one fan wrote at the time, with Burrell herself responding, “Honestly I don’t know. 🤷🏼♀️😑❤️.”
“Hi Anne, r u still with Food Network?? U r missed very much❤️❤️,” another follower penned, to which she replied, “I miss you guys!!!😊❤️😊❤️.”
When another fan asked that she “come back next season,” the TV personality replied, “I will SO try. 😊❤️.”
In her last Instagram post, the 55-year-old TV chef is smiling with the Green Lady of Brooklyn.
She wrote: “I ran into @greenladyofbrooklyn in my neighborhood today!! I’m not going to lie — I have been keeping an eye out for her. I may or may not have followed her down the street for a minute. She is just lovely!!!”
She also added hashtags such ‘i love what i do’ and ‘lucky girl’.
The chef was sadly found unresponsive in her apartment in Brooklyn on Tuesday 17 June.
Paramedics were unfortunately unable to revive the TV chef and she was declared dead on site.
The NYPD has since shared that she was “unconscious and unresponsive”.
Authorities shared that her husband, Stuart Claxton, found her cold on the shower floor, hours after he had last seen her alive.
He told law enforcement that he had last seen her around 1am and found her “between six and seven hours later”.
He then called 911 at around 7.50am, who told him to start CPR.
The officers then “responded and pronounced her deceased on scene.”
Her family confirmed her death in a statement that read: “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,” the family added. “Though she is no longer with us, her warmth, spirit, and boundless love remain eternal.”
The Food Network also released a statement following the sad news: “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,”.
“Our thoughts are with Anne’s family, friends and fans during this time of tremendous loss,” they wrote.
Her cause of death has not yet been revealed. She will be missed, RIP.
