News Anchors Announce Colleague's Unexpected Death at 28 During Broadcast: ‘Devastated’
Ana Orsini died last week, her fellow anchors at Tucson, Ariz. CBS affiliate KOLD-TV shared on Monday, Dec. 16
Ana Orsini/Facebook
Ana OrsiniAna Orsini’s loved ones are wearing pink to remember the 28-year-old Arizona news anchor who died last week.
The journalist’s colleagues at CBS affiliate KOLD-TV in Tucson shared the tragic news of her death during a broadcast on Monday, Dec. 16.
“Sad news to share with you, our beloved friend and co-anchor Ana Orsini passed away unexpectedly last week,” anchor Tyler Butler told viewers.
Co-anchor Carsyn Currier added, while choking back tears: “Ana has been here at 13 News since June of 2023, and we are devastated by this loss.”
As Butler reached over to hold Currier’s hand, the two began sharing memories of the Colorado native.
“We had the opportunity to work with her every day, and we do want you to know that what you saw with her on air, the funny, crazy person she was, she was just like that off-camera and more so,” Butler said.
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Orsini's cause of death has not been released.
Orsini previously worked at a Lubbock, Texas news station as her first job after graduating from Texas A&M University in College Station. Before arriving at KOLD, she spent three years as a morning/midday anchor in Medford, Ore., covering everything from “major wildfires to helping shelter pets find their forever homes,” according to her bio.
Now, those who knew Orsini are mourning her death — and remembering the effervescent journalist who often said "Let the women do the work!”
“She was truly one of a kind.,” Butler wrote on Facebook. “Crazy passionate about helping animals, she had a great and sarcastic sense of humor, and was so dedicated to her family. She LOVED her family and talked about them all the time. I’m glad to have been a small part of her work family.”
On Instagram, Currier remembered her best friend who “made it that much easier” to wake up in the middle of the night to work the early morning shift.
“Ana was not only beautiful, talented and hilarious, but she was unlike anyone I’ve ever met,” Currier wrote alongside a carousel of photos of the two anchors. “To know Ana was to LOVE her. She made everyone around her feel so special, heard and understood.”
She added, “Whether she was dancing around the set or making us all laugh, everyday with Ana was an adventure.”
Family was “everything” to Orsini, Currier said.
"She was a proud daughter, sister and the best dog mom to her baby boy, Harley,” Currier wrote. “Rest in peace, sister. I promise to keep living fully for YOU.”
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