Celebrity chef Anne Burrell dies suddenly aged 55 as police release heartbreaking details

Police have released new information following the sudden death of celebrity chef Anne Burrell, who passed away at the age of 55.

Burrell, from New York, was best known for her shows on the Food Network; she was the host of Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, and co-host of Worst Cooks in America, while she also appeared on other programmes on the network, including The Best Thing I Ever Ate.

The beloved chef previously worked in restaurants in Italy before returning to the US to work as a sous chef at Felidia, a former restaurant owned by celebrity chef Lidia Bastianich, which was highly regarded.

Her first TV opportunity happened 20 years ago in 2005, when Iron Chef Mario Batali asked her to serve as one of his sous chefs for a pilot taping of the series Iron Chef America.

The Food Network star was found dead in her home in Brooklyn, New York on Tuesday morning (June 17).

New York Police Department officers found Burrell ‘unconscious and unresponsive’ and was pronounced dead at the scene.

A person had called for emergency services at 7:50 a.m. concerned that she had suffered cardiac arrest, according to a 911 call report provided to People by the New York City Fire Department.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has not yet confirmed Burrell’s official cause of death.

Burrell’s family confirmed her unexpected death in a statement on Tuesday.

“Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend — her smile lit up every room she entered,” the statement read.

“Anne’s light radiated far beyond those she knew, touching millions across the world,” Burrell’s loved ones added. “Though she is no longer with us, her warmth, spirit, and boundless love remain eternal.”

The Food Network also praised Burrell in a tribute in which they called her death a ‘tremendous loss’.

“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,” the network said.

“Our thoughts are with Anne’s family, friends and fans during this time of tremendous loss.”

Chef Robert Irvine, who appeared alongside Anne Burrell on Worst Cooks in America, shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram following news of her passing.

"I am stunned and deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Anne Burrell," he began in his tribute.

"Anne wasn’t just a fiery chef. She was a radiant spirit who lit up every room she entered. From the very beginning on Worst Cooks in America, our friendly rivalry was fuelled by mutual respect: I'd risk bleaching my hair; she'd risk losing hers. An epic wager that epitomized her unbeatable spirit. It was a wager I ultimately lost, but I couldn’t imagine losing to a more fierce competitor."