Arizona Local News Anchor Ana Orsini Dies At 28
Ana Orsini, a local news anchor in Tucson, Arizona, has died at age 28, her KOLD News 13 colleagues announced Monday in a heartbreaking segment.
“Our beloved friend and co-anchor Ana Orsini passed away unexpectedly last week,” broadcaster Tyler Butler said.
Co-anchor Carsyn Currier said tearfully that they were “devastated” by the news.
“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.
Her cause of death was not disclosed.
In a post on Facebook, Butler said Orsini “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.”
Currier said on social media that Orsini was one of her best friends.
“Ana was not only beautiful, talented, and hilarious, but she was unlike anyone I’ve ever met,” she wrote. “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.”
Currier added: “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.”
Another colleague, meteorologist Cory Kowitz, said Orsini was “our anchor, a leader of the morning team, and most importantly a great friend to so many at the station.”
He shared the news team’s video tribute of some of their favorite on-air moments with Orsini.
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… pic.twitter.com/oau04UsS9h
— Cory Kowitz (@cory_kowitz) December 16, 2024
Orsini had worked at KOLD News 13 since June 2023. She started her career in Lubbock, Texas, in 2018, after graduating from Texas A&M University, and went on to work at KDRV NewsWatch 12 in Medford, Oregon, before her move to Arizona. She was born and raised in Denver, Colorado.
“Ana spent three years at NewsWatch 12, doing everything from covering major wildfires to helping shelter pets find their forever homes,” her former employer said in a tribute.
