CNN Cites Suicide in Death of Anthony Bourdain, 61

Chef, author, and TV personality Anthony Bourdain is dead at 61, and the cause is suicide, confirms CNN. The network, which is home to his Emmy-award-winning series Parts Unknown, released this statement Friday: "It is with extraordinary sadness we can confirm the death of our friend and colleague, Anthony Bourdain. 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."

CNN reports Bourdain was filming in France at the time of his death and was discovered Friday morning in his hotel room by friend and fellow chef Eric Ripert. It catalogues his many culinary accomplishments, which netted him "practically every award the industry has to offer." His 2000 best-seller, Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly, snowballed into Food Network and Travel Channel shows before he landed at CNN. Season 11 of Parts Unknown began last month. (More Anthony Bourdain stories.)