Local Arizona news anchor Ana Orsini has died at the age of 28.
Her death was announced by her CBS affiliate KOLD News13 colleagues, Tyler Butler and Carsyn Currier on last night’s segment.
Her cause of death has not yet been disclosed.
‘Our beloved friend and co-anchor Ana Orsini passed away unexpectedly last week.
‘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 on-air.
Currier tearfully added that they were ‘devastated’ by the news.
Her career began in 2018 in Lubbock, Texas where she worked as an anchor/reporter after graduating from Texas A&M University.
She then spent three years at NewsWatch 12 before joining the team at KOLD in Tucson, Arizona in June 2023.
Local Arizona news anchor Ana Orsini has died at the age of 28 under mysterious circumstances
After the devastating announcement, both anchors took to their social media to share pictures of the deceased anchor and remember her fondly.
‘We have some truly sad news to share this morning. Our beloved Ana Orsini TV passed away suddenly late last week. She was truly one of a kind.
‘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.
‘Please take a moment today to think about Ana. A time she made you laugh or think about something in a different way. She was too young, but we can remember her always. For years to come, we’ll be repeating her mantra. “Let the women do the work!”,’ Butler wrote in a Facebook post.
Currier, who described Orsini as the ‘Bratz doll to her Barbie doll’, recalled the young anchor’s joyful energy and love for her family in a lengthy Instagram post.
While there isn’t enough time for me to truly describe the incredible person Ana Orsini was, there are a few things I’d like to say in remembrance of one of my best friends. Ana was not only beautiful, talented, and hilarious, but she was unlike anyone I’ve ever met.
‘To know Ana was to LOVE her. She made everyone around her feel so special, heard and understood. Waking up in the middle of the night to go to work is always challenging, but knowing I was going to work with Ana made it that much easier.
‘Whether she was dancing around the set or making us all laugh, everyday with Ana was an adventure. Ana’s family was everything to her. She was a proud daughter, sister, and the best dog mom to her baby boy, Harley.
‘She was an advocate for animals, women’s rights, and one heck of a friend. Time may pass, but my memories of Ana will never fade. I love you forever, Ana. You’ll always be the Bratz Doll to my Barbie Doll. Rest in Peace, sister. I promise to keep living fully for YOU.’
KOLD Meteorologist Cory Kowitz also shared a the channel’s video tribute of some of their favorite on-air moments with Orsini in an X post.
‘Last week, we lost a beloved member of our KOLD news team. Ana Orsini was our anchor, a leader of the morning team, and most importantly a great friend to so many at the station.
‘I had the pleasure of working with her during the morning, even though it was for too short of a time.
‘Thank you to our talented morning team for putting together this beautiful tribute video. Rest in peace Ana,’ the tweet read.
