Earlier this week it was fashion designer Kate Spade, and now it’s 61-year-old celeb chef Anthony Bourdain who has taken his own life.

Per a CNN report:

CNN confirmed Bourdain’s death on Friday and said the cause of death was suicide.

“It is with extraordinary sadness we can confirm the death of our friend and colleague, Anthony Bourdain,” the network said in a statement Friday morning. “His love of great adventure, new friends, fine food and drink and the remarkable stories of the world made him a unique storyteller. His talents never ceased to amaze us and we will miss him very much. Our thoughts and prayers are with his daughter and family at this incredibly difficult time.”

Bourdain was in France working on an upcoming episode of his award-winning CNN series “Parts Unknown.” His close friend Eric Ripert, the French chef, found Bourdain unresponsive in his hotel room Friday morning.

Bourdain was a master of his crafts — first in the kitchen and then in the media. Through his TV shows and books, he explored the human condition and helped audiences think differently about food, travel and themselves. He advocated for marginalized populations and campaigned for safer working conditions for restaurant staffs.

You can read the full report here.

A reminder that help is out there. To contact a counsellor between 8AM to 8PM, Monday to Sunday, call 011 234 4837.

For a suicidal emergency contact 0800 567 567, and a 24-hour helpline can be reached on 0800 12 13 14.

[source:cnn]