Charlotte’s newest evening anchor Sarah French says she became an advocate for victims of domestic violence after her friend was killed by an estranged husband.
“You have an idea of what domestic violence is until it reaches you,” she told the Charlotte Observer.
French begins co-anchoring the 5, 6 and 11 p.m. newscasts for NBC affiliate WCNC alongside Fred Shropshire today. She told the Observer a friend and co-worker was murdered by an abusive husband in 2009.
Alice Morrin, 43, was shot to death by her estranged husband, who then killed himself. Their two daughters were in the house when it happened.
“She was bubbly, happy,” French said. “She never gave a sign.”
Morrin hid in a closet and texted a friend in her final minutes, asking that he call police. She finally called 911 herself, and was discovered by her raging husband.
French said the incident motivated her to begin advocating for victims of domestic violence where she helped make Connecticut one of a dozen states that allows 911 calls by text.
She joined the Charlotte station in March after working at WHDH in Boston for six years.