Texas news anchor emotionally announces co-anchor Chris Radcliffe’s death

The team at Central Texas television station KCEN mourned one of its live broadcasters on Oct. 30 and announced the death of co-anchor Chris Radcliffe.

Co-anchor Lindsey Lipman of KCEN, the NBC affiliate in Temple, Texas, became visibly emotional when she shared Wednesday news release that Radcliffe “died unexpectedly.” He was 51.

“Chris sat in the chair next to me and he was the best. He was simply the best,” Lipman said. “Funny, sincere and smart. I looked forward to working with Chris every night and I think you could all tell that at home. We had fun here. Chris loved this community and never took his role for granted.”

Lipman said that if she had known that Tuesday would be their last newscast together, “I would have ignored our producers’ calls to end and just laughed a little more.”

Fighting back tears, Lipman said she wished she could thank him for everything he taught her — “but that’s not how life works,” she said.

She reflected on her time behind the scenes and offered her condolences to his family, including Radcliffe’s wife, daughters and grandchildren, and his sister.

At one point, Lipman nearly broke down when he revealed that others would step in to help carry out the evening’s broadcast.

“I just can’t finish reading today’s news, and I hope you understand,” she said.

She went on to say that Radcliffe’s death “is a true loss for our community.” He was then honored with a video montage about his life and mentorship at the news station.

Radcliffe, who anchors the 5:00, 6:00 and 10:00 p.m. programs, has worked at KCEN for 22 years. according to the station. He was “lucky to have a wonderful wife,” as well as two daughters, a grandson and a granddaughter. The cause of death was not disclosed at the time.

Other journalists at the station also paid tribute to Radcliffe on social media.

Bailey Bates, who wrote that she was “honored to be one of Chris’ co-hosts,” shared slideshow filled with photos of our time together.

Reporter and anchor Sydney Dishon wrote that she was “at a loss for words.”

“Chris, I will miss all the advice you gave to help me navigate life in my early 20s. I will cherish your words forever.” she wrote partly. “I still can’t believe this is real. The newsroom won’t be the same without you. You made KCEN feel like home.”

A statement on behalf of Radcliffe’s wife, Eden Radcliffe, was posted on her Facebook profile, thanking people for the “tremendous outpouring of love.”

“On behalf of my sister, she wanted me to convey our deep gratitude to you for the overwhelming outpouring of love and support for her, their girls and families,” Eden Radcliffe’s sister, Libby, wrote. “She receives and reads your texts and messages, but right now it’s just too difficult for her to respond.”

Chris Radcliffe began his decades-long career at KCEN in 2002 as a sports anchor. He then became the morning anchor of Texas Today, where he held the position for nine years before moving to the role of evening anchor.