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FILE PHOTO: Chef and television personality Anthony Bourdain arrives at the 65th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, California, U.S., September 15, 2013. REUTERS/Jonathan Alcorn/File Photo Image Credit: REUTERS

 Los Angeles: US food writer and travel show host Anthony Bourdain was found dead Friday in his room at a hotel in the Alsace region of eastern France, a prosecutor told AFP.

"We learned of the death by hanging of the American chef this morning in the Chambard luxury hotel in Kaysersberg," said Christian de Rocquigny du Fayel, adding: "At this stage, we have no reason to suspect foul play."

Television network CNN, which ran Bourdain's show Parts Unknown, said the 61-year-old committed suicide.

He was in France, where he was filming an upcoming episode of the travelogue. The cause of death was suicide, reports cnn.com. 

"It is with extraordinary sadness we can confirm the death of our friend and colleague, Anthony Bourdain," the network said in a statement. 

"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."

His close friend Eric Ripert, the French chef, found Bourdain unresponsive in his hotel room on 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 marginalised populations and campaigned for safer working conditions for restaurant staffs.

Celebrity reactions

Chef Gordon Ramsay tweeted he was stunned and saddened. Ramsay wrote that Bourdain "brought the world into our homes and inspired so many people to explore cultures."

Bizarre Foods host Andrew Zimmern wrote that a "piece of my heart is truly broken." Zimmern said, "The sad cruel irony is that the last year he'd never been happier."

Actor and former Man v. Food host Adam Richman tweeted "Why?" and said his heart was with Bourdain.