Food Network's Star Michael Chiarello Taking Weight Loss Drug Similar To Ozempic At Time Of Death

A coroner's report is shedding more light on the circumstances surrounding Michael Chiarello's passing, showing the famous chef was taking a weight loss drug -- similar to Ozempic -- in the weeks leading to his death.

According to legal documents obtained by The Blast, Chiarello's ex-wife Eileen Gordon, and his girlfriend Kellie Martin were interviewed by investigators about his use of another version of the famous weight loss drug, Ozempic.

It was believed that the injectable medication could have contributed to the "Food Network" star's demise.

According to the coroner's report we obtained, Chiarello's legal wife Gordon, and his partner Martin were interviewed by a deputy of the Napa County Coroner's Office to get to the root of their loved one's passing.

"Eileen was not sure about the decedent's drug use because she and the decedent had been separated for several years. She knew he was known to drink alcohol, but did not know if he was a heavy drinker," the deputy wrote of his encounter with Chiarello's ex-wife.

The report continued, "She said the decedent told her he was on a new weight loss drug called Ozempic or something similar. It was her understanding the drug was a diabetic medication that had recently found use as a weight loss medication. She knew Ozempic was given by injection, but did not know how it was administered to the decedent."

Gordon explained to the deputy that she was concerned for the "Fine Living Network" host's well-being when she learned about his drug use. According to her, the husband of a friend of hers "had an allergic-type reaction to the medication." Gordon revealed that "her friend's husband developed a rash and swelling and the symptoms persisted for over thirty days."

The Coroner's Office noted that Gordon wasn't sure if the weight loss medication had anything to do with Chiarello's death, but she wanted to make sure the Coroner's Office knew about it.

However, the celebrity chef's girlfriend, KellieMartin, who was with him when his allergic reaction began shed more light on the suspected drug.

"Kellie said she and the decedent lived together in Yountville. I asked Kellie about the decedent's drug use, and she said she did not know how much or what the decedent used," the document read. "She said the decedent hid his drug use from her. She also said she was unsure if the decedent had any friends or associates who used illicit drugs."

When asked about Chiarello's allergic reaction, Martin reportedly told the Coroner's Office Deputy that she wasn't aware the famous cooking personality had any allergies during the time they were together. She was also questioned about whether the "Tra Vigne Cookbook" author had any recent medical or dental procedures that required a local anesthetic, and Martin said her late partner hadn't done anything to her knowledge.

However, when asked about using a drug like Ozempic, she told the deputy, Chiarello was "not taking Ozempic, but was on a similar medication called Tirzepatide." Martin revealed that the "Food Network" star took injections of the medication once a week, but she didn't know the last time he took it before his demise.

"As far as she knew, he hadn't taken the medication in the last two weeks. Kellie did tell me the decedent had been taking Tirzepatide for approximately three months," the deputy wrote.

The document continued, "I researched Tirzepatide and found the brand name of the drug is Mounjaro. It is administered with a single-dose pen injector once a week. The company website lists common side effects as: nausea; diarrhea; decreases appetite; vomiting: constipation: indigestion: and stomach pain."

The deputy explained that the Mounjaro website did not list other side effects. However, "The Mayo Clinic listed the following less common side effects: difficulty in breathing or swallowing; fast heartbeat; gaseous stomach pain; heartburn; recurrent fever; skin itching, rash, or redness; stomach, fullness; swelling of the face, throat, or tongue; vomiting; and yellow eyes or skin."

The coroner's report also noted that Chiarello had cocaine in his system at the time of his passing, confirming that several issues might have contributed to his death.

The official report declared that the late chef died from "exposure to an unknown etiologic agent that led to anaphylactic shock."

Chiarello also suffered a heart attack during the episode but was resuscitated by people on the scene of the incident. Due to the attack, Michael unfortunately suffered from "hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy" which is a medical term for lack of oxygen and blood flow to the brain.

In other words, investigators are not exactly sure what "etiologic agent" ultimately caused his reaction.

The celebrity chef passed away at the age of 61, on October 6, after being rushed to a hospital for an "allergic reaction."