KOMO news director Holly Gauntt says the station is “incredibly sad” after the death of weekend anchor Joel Connable.
“Honestly, we’re numb,” Gauntt told TVSpy in an email. “Joel hadn’t been here long but he fit in fantastically. He was already bonding with the weekend team.”
Connable died unexpectedly Monday. He joined the Seattle ABC affiliate last week after a three-year break from the television business.
“He was excited about getting back in the business and couldn’t wait to get going. He turned in his first story on a day he was supposed to train,” Gauntt said. “He just wanted to get into the field.”
Connable’s death, which the station said was likely caused by a diabetic seizure, is the second in the KOMO newsroom this year.
“It’s sad, just incredibly sad and obviously another blow for our newsroom during an already difficult time,” Gauntt said.