Ana Orsini, a morning anchor for CBS affiliate KOLD News 13 in Tucson, Arizona, passed away unexpectedly last week at the age of 28 after suffering a brain aneurysm.

Her sudden death has left colleagues and viewers mourning the loss of a beloved journalist and friend.

KOLD Meteorologist Cory Kowitz shared his thoughts on social media, writing on X (formerly Twitter), “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.”

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During a broadcast, Orsini’s co-anchor Tyler Butler expressed the shock and sadness felt by the newsroom. “Some really sad news to share with you,” Butler said. “Our beloved friend and co-anchor, Ana Orsini, passed away unexpectedly last week. Ana had been here at 13 News since June of 2023, and we are devastated by this loss.”

Butler added, “What you saw with her on air, the funny, crazy person she was, she was just like that off camera and more so.”

Colleague Carsyn Currier echoed these sentiments during the tribute, stating, “We had the opportunity to work with her every day, and she was truly one of a kind.”

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 began her broadcasting career shortly after graduating from Texas A&M University in 2018.

Her passion for journalism took her to NewsWatch 12, where she worked for three years before joining the team at KOLD News 13 in June 2023.

In a heartfelt tribute posted on Instagram, Currier reflected on their close friendship and Orsini’s impact on those around her. “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.”

 

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A post shared by C A R S Y N ⭐️ C U R R I E R ⭐️ M A R I S C A L (@carsyncurrier)

Currier also shared memories of their time working together. “Whether she was dancing around the set or making us all laugh, every day with Ana was an adventure. Ana’s family was everything to her. I love you forever, Ana. You’ll always be the Bratz Doll to my Barbie Doll.”

KOLD News 13 issued a statement on Monday honoring Orsini’s contributions to the newsroom and her lasting impact on her coworkers.

“Ana’s friends and coworkers remember her as someone with bottomless empathy who always stood up for ‘the little guy.’ She was a smiling face most especially for all her newest and youngest coworkers, and she is known in all the newsrooms where she worked for taking them under her wing and being a strong mentor for both work and life.”

The sudden loss of Ana Orsini has left a deep void in the Tucson community and beyond.

Her colleagues, friends, and family continue to celebrate her legacy and the joy she brought to those around her.