A news anchor was overcome with emotion on-air as she shared the heartbreaking news of her co-anchors sudden passing.
On Wednesday, Oct. 30, Lindsay Liepman of local NBC affiliate KCEN-TV in Waco and Temple, Texas, struggled to finish delivering the broadcast after telling viewers Kris Radcliffe had died earlier that day at the age of 51.
This is an incredibly sad day for our KCEN family, Liepman began. My co-anchor Kris Radcliffe died unexpectedly and we received the news today. Kris sat in the chair right beside me and he was the best, he was simply the best.
As she continued, Liepmans voice trembled as she remembered her friend and colleague.
Funny, genuine and smart, I looked forward to working with Kris every single night and I think you all could tell at home, she said. We had fun here. Kris loved this community and never took his role for granted.
A news anchor was overcome with emotion on-air as she shared the heartbreaking news of her co-anchors sudden passing
On Wednesday, Oct. 30, Lindsay Liepman of local NBC affiliate KCEN-TV in Waco and Temple, Texas, struggled to finish delivering the broadcast after informing viewers that her co-anchor Kris Radcliffe had passed away earlier that day at the age of 51
Reflecting on her last moments with Radcliffe, she added, If I had known yesterday was going to be our last newscast together I would have ignored the cues to wrap from our producers and just laughed a little longer at all of his jokes. He always has lots of jokes.
Liepman also took a moment to honor Radcliffes 22-year legacy at KCEN, acknowledging the profound impact he had on the station and its viewers.
I would have thanked him for all hes taught me and given to all of you, the viewers, but that is not how life works out, Liepman continued. What you dont get to see on-air is the time spent talking about our families and our group chats. He loved talking about sports and politics. It was important for me to share what he meant to us here at KCEN right now because I know he would have done the same for me.
Liepman then expressed her condolences to Radcliffes wife, Eden, their two daughters, and his two grandchildren, who she said idolized him.
He always had a new story every time he came into the newsroom about his grandkids, Liepman said.
Before stepping away from the broadcast, Liepman told viewers, I simply cannot get through the newscast tonight and I hope you understand, she said.
Before stepping away from the broadcast, Liepman told viewers, I simply cannot get through the newscast tonight and I hope you understand
After her exit, KCENs sister station in Austin took over the telecast, and KCEN shared highlights from Radcliffes career to honor his memory.
Radcliffe, a California native, joined KCEN in 2002 as a sports anchor. An award-winning journalist, he later transitioned to anchoring Texas Today, a morning news show, and in 2018, he moved to the evening news desk.
This is a true loss for our community, his family, and I know that he touched so many of your lives in a positive way. I think it was an honor for him to do this job, it was an honor for us to work with Kris, Liepman said.