The anchors of Fox 2 Detroit (WJBK-TV) are often tasked with delivering tough and tragic news. Thursday morning, however, was particularly difficult as they announced the death of their friend and colleague, meteorologist Jessica Starr, from suicide. She was 35 years old.
"All of us here at FOX 2
"We wanted to share this with you because many of you think of us as part of your family and we appreciate that. So, we — this difficult moment we wanted to share with you," a tearful Deena Centofanti said on-air.
Amy Andrews broke the news via Twitter on Thursday morning, sharing a photo of her with Starr. "Our hearts are broken."
Our hearts are broken. Last night we were informed our Jessica Starr took her life. Her Fox 2 family is deep shock and cannot believe such a wonderful, bright and intelligent woman is gone. Keep her family in your prayers in the coming days as we all deal with our grief. pic.twitter.com/z4km8Tsb9K
— Amy Andrews Fox 2 (@AmyAndrewsFOX2) December 13, 2018
"She leaves behind a husband, two beautiful children, and a loving family," anchor Roop Raj tweeted in wake of the news. "I send my deepest sympathies to her family. Our hometown girl will always be remembered fondly."
Starr, a Southfield native, has been with the station since 2012
following her role as the weekend meteorologist and feature reporter at WBFF-FOX 45 in Baltimore. She got her start in television broadcasting while in Lansing where she also worked with the auto show as a model and product specialist.
According to Starr's last tweet on Nov. 14, she had been frustrated with persistent dry eye resulting from her recent Lasik eye surgery which kept her off the air for just over a month. Upon her eager return to work, she posted a video update.
"Thank you for all the well wishes and wondering where I've been," she said. "I am struggling a little bit so I need all those prayers and well wishes because this has been a hard go."
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