Longtime KTVX reporter Marcos Ortiz died unexpectedly at his home on Saturday. He was 68.
Ortiz was the station’s senior crime and justice reporter and had worked at the Salt Lake City ABC affiliate since 2004.
“Words are difficult to find as we learned of the loss of our colleague and friend, Marcos Ortiz,” said Mark Danielson, KTVX vice president and general manager. “He was an icon in Utah: a journalist, a mentor, a coach and a friend. He reminded us how to be curious while leading by example. He will be missed by all and remembered always.”
The station said he will be best known “for his extensive work in shining a light on unsolved crimes across Utah with his Justice Files series and for helping bring awareness to missing persons with Missing in Utah.”
“He is an extremely talented journalist but an even better person,” anchor Jillian Smukler said in a tweet. “I will miss our talks, especially about how proud you are of your daughter, Olivia. You are already so missed Marcos.”
Ortiz is survived by his wife of 34 years, Sandy Olney, and their daughter, Olivia. The station also said he was a devout Catholic.