The 55-year-old culinary celebrity, who was well-known for her spiky blond hair and lively demeanour on the Food Network, has away.
On the morning of Tuesday, June 17, 2025, rescue personnel discovered famous chef Anne Burrell unconscious in her Brooklyn home, according to TMZ.
Despite their best efforts, paramedics were unable to revive her. At the scene, she was declared deceased. To ascertain the cause of death, an autopsy is anticipated to be performed by the city medical examiner.
Stuart Claxton, Burrell’s husband, and his son Javier survived her. Her siblings, Isabella, Amelia, and Nicolas, as well as her mother, Marlene, sister, Jane, and brother, Ben, are all left behind.
In a statement, her family said, “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.”
Even in her last days, she maintained her public persona and her usual joy, demonstrating her warmth.
Just five days before her death, Burrell shared a cheerful post on Instagram on June 12, “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!!! #ilovewhatido #luckygirl”
In an interview with TastingTable in April, she shared what would turn out to be one of her last in-depth thoughts on her culinary philosophy.
Burrell’s approach on and off screen was influenced by her discussion of the emotional bond between a cook and their cuisine. “I truly in my heart feel that your food knows how you’re feeling when you cook it and it reacts accordingly,” she stated.
Cooking should be fun, not scary, in her opinion. When working with novices on “Worst Cooks in America,” she placed a strong emphasis on fostering a positive atmosphere. By emphasising enjoyment over fear, she aimed to give individuals confidence in the kitchen. Her approach was positive, and she inspired others to view mistakes as a necessary component of learning.
She also valued discipline and preparation. “Find a recipe for it. Don’t just try to wing it. Find a recipe, read several recipes and pick out the one that you feel most comfortable with or the one that you like the best, and then read it from beginning to end before you start cooking,” she advised.
Burrell stressed the importance of maintaining order in the kitchen. To lessen stress and maintain a seamless procedure, she suggested mise en place, or prepping all components ahead of time, and cleaning as you go. This method makes cooking more peaceful and helps prevent a mess. She also emphasised the importance of tasting food while cooking to guarantee the right flavour.
Burrell’s commitment to encouragement, authenticity, and sharing her passion was evident both in her final interview and in her casual interactions with fans. In January, when asked on Instagram why she wasn’t appearing on the “Worst Cooks in America,” she responded candidly, “Honestly I don’t know.”
In addition to “Worst Cooks in America,” the Cazenovia native was widely recognized for hosting “Secrets of a Restaurant Chef,” “All-Star Best Thing I Ever Ate,” and “Chef Wanted with Anne Burrell.” She also made appearances on “Iron Chef America.”
She earned a reputation for her enthusiastic teaching style and unreserved culinary flair after graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in 1996.
In addition to her career accomplishments, Burrell frequently talked about how happy she was in her personal life. In an interview with People in March 2023, she and her spouse, Claxton, discussed their relationship.
Burrell shared, “I have to say, I love being married. We’re together all the time because Stuart works from home. It’s the being together all the time, but it’s also the adventure together.” Claxton remarked, “It’s been wonderful, to say the least.”
While in quarantine with her family in Cazenovia, New York, the couple got engaged in April 2020 after meeting on Bumble in 2018. In October 2021, they were married at Windridge Estates Redbarn 20 in front of their loved ones and close friends, including TV personalities and other Food Network chefs.
Moving in together for the first time and settling into a refurbished Brooklyn flat were part of their post-wedding story. “We’ve been getting the marital home set up,” Burrell stated. “And it’s just been so fun to see that all come together.”
Looking ahead, the couple spoke about their hopes for more shared experiences, from home-cooked meals to karaoke nights and travel. “I’m looking forward to taking a trip — just the two of us,” Burrell added.
While the food industry laments Anne Burrell’s demise, the entertainment industry is also mourning another unexpected death.
Known for his recent performance in Disney’s live-action “Lilo & Stitch,” David Hekili Kenui Bell has died.
On June 16, his sister, Jalene Kanani Bell, posted an emotional Facebook message announcing his passing. “It is with a heavy heart I share that my sweet, generous, talented, funny, brilliant and handsome little brother David H. K. Bell will spend today in the company of our Heavenly Father,” wrote Jalene.
“I’ve been waiting for the words and mindset to properly express the joy of a human, and Prince of a Man he was, but fate pushed my hand this morning by a pre-scheduled Father’s Day newsletter honouring the men in our lives,” she said.
David passed away on June 12 at 2:26 p.m., according to Hawaii police. According to a police spokeswoman, authorities have begun a coroner’s inquest inquiry and are planning an autopsy to ascertain the cause of death. The statement stated, “No foul play is suspected,” despite the fact that the inquiry is still underway.
David’s passing at 46 caught even those close to him by surprise. His representative, Lashauna Downie, told TMZ, “I am learning like you through social media. This is heartbreaking & sad. He was one of my best talent & embodied the true meaning of aloha … a gentle giant.”
In “Lilo & Stitch” (2025), David made a name for himself by playing the role of Big Hawaiian Dude, a reference to the Ice Cream Man, a running joke from the original animated series in which the character repeatedly loses his ice cream before he can bite into it.
After witnessing characters Pleakley and Jumba open a gateway to the island, David’s character is shown in the movie’s trailer dropping his shaved ice. In the movie, a lonely Hawaiian girl helps to heal her broken family by becoming friends with a fugitive alien.
On May 28, two weeks before to his passing, David shared behind-the-scenes pictures from the movie shoot as well as a video of his audition tape for the part.
Additionally, he prepared his own opening night viewing of “Lilo & Stitch” in Kapolei and purchased premiere tickets for his family. Even his sister made a joke about how “one trait” they didn’t have was the ability to plan ahead.
As items rushed off the shelves, Jalene recalled their delight at seeing fans decked out in Lilo & Stitch-themed apparel, such as t-shirts, onesies, hats, and masks.
They thought about obtaining shaved ice to act out the ice cream scene after the movie, but the store was closed. Later, they honoured his memory in this way, which her grandson found very touching.
David’s parts in “The Wrecking Crew,” “Hawaii Five-O,” and “Magnum P.I.” (2018) are also well-known. Off-screen, he provided his voice to a number of projects and worked at Kona Airport, where he was proud to use the PA system to make sure that passengers had a safe and enjoyable journey.
David was reared in Hawaii and went to Kalani High School and Punahou School. Their father spoke Hawaiian, according to his sister, which gave David an advantage in fusing Pidgin, Indigenous cultural knowledge, and fluency in English. She called this ability a “diamond in the rough.”
At the age of 18, Jalene recounted meeting David for the first time at her high school graduation, describing it as “the most amazing surprise” that their mothers had planned.
“While I didn’t grow up with a Father, David gave me all the unconditional love I could possibly ask for and I believe that all his family and friends received the same from him,” Jalene said.
David frequently planned family get-togethers and expressed excitement about going to Tatihi and the Lindsey reunion to strengthen family bonds since he was especially proud of his nieces and grandnephew.
He welcomed the thrill of the entertainment and film industries and relished his role as an ambassador for Kona Brew.
Jalene noted that David “loved being an actor, doing voiceovers, spending time with Brutus traveling,” and that his passion for the arts was something she always admired.
Her letter to Aunty Gerry and the Kenui ‘Ohana said, “You raised an amazing human who became the most loving and supportive man in my life and I am eternally grateful.”
She also mentioned her siblings, stating that she shared her sorrow with her younger sister Lara Leimana and older sister Kehau Bell, who, although not named David, “loved and adored him as her own.”
Several of David’s favourite social media posts, which she only learnt about after his death, will be reshared, she said.
On her couch in the living area, they spent their last moments together “talking story about life, having a seltzer and doing a little genealogy [sic].” She said that all of their shared experiences, whether great and small, were a blessing.
David is remembered for his lively demeanour, close family ties, and appreciation of his Hawaiian heritage in addition to his increasing on-screen presence, as tributes keep coming in. His influence is felt by all who knew him through his performances, volunteer work, and treasured memories.
