Emily Matson, a popular Pennsylvanian news anchor and reporter for almost two decades, has passed away at the young age of 42.
Matson worked for Erie News Now whose parent company, Lilly Broadcasting, announced her passing Monday without elaborating on the sudden cause of death, the New York Post reported. (RELATED: NBC Affiliate Anchor Leslie Swick Van Ness Dies Suddenly While On Family Vacation In Florida)
Beloved Pennsylvania news anchor Emily Matson dies at 42: ‘Utterly devastating’ https://t.co/ojYbh5JpTb pic.twitter.com/q6LP9Amrdz
— New York Post (@nypost) December 12, 2023
“It is with a very heavy heart that we have learned of the passing of our beloved Erie News Now news anchor Emily Matson. Emily was a shining light in our newsroom, delivering news with a passion and love she had for the Erie community and Northwest Pennsylvania. We loved Emily dearly and our hearts go out to the Matson family and her husband Ryan at this time,” the statement by Lily Broadcasting read, Erie New Now noted.
Her death was later ruled to be a suicide, officials told the New York Post.
Matson began her career at WJET-TV as an intern back in the early 2000s, Deadline reported. She then produced WICU’s morning show for two years before becoming a reporter, Matson’s biography on Erie News Now read. “One of the things I love about my job is that no single day is EVER the same. I love breaking news situations,” her biography noted.
Matson twice received “Outstanding Spot News” awards from the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters, it added.
“She was such a talented journalist and anchor, but even more, she was an incredible friend. From being side-splittingly funny and fiesty, to thoughtful and caring…I’m going to miss you Em.,” Jamison Hixenbaugh, a work colleague of Matson’s for 15 years, wrote on Facebook.