WABC Reporter Lisa Colagrossi Dies While on Assignment

WABC's Eyewitness News reporter Lisa Colagrossi died of a brain aneurysm at the age of 49 while returning from an assignment in Woodhaven, Queens. She was stricken on March 19 on her way back after a live coverage of a story. She was rushed to nearby New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center's ICU where she was placed on life support. She died on March 20 from the effects of the aneurysm.

The WABC's Eyewitness News team at its Facebook page wrote: "We have some sad news to share with you about our Eyewitness News family. Lisa Colagrossi, Eyewitness News reporter, anchor, wife and mother, has died at age 49. Lisa suffered a brain hemorrhage while returning from covering a story Thursday morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family."

WABC-TV president and general manager Dave Davis told reporters: "Lisa Colagrossi embodied the 'Eyewitness News' spirit - a straightforward reporter who told the truth, empathetic to the everyday citizens of the New York area, and demanding of those in power. All of us in the Channel 7 family are in shock over her sudden death. Our attention is now focused on helping her husband and two children though this difficult time."

WABC-TV news director Camille Edwards added: "Lisa will be terribly missed. Her bright smile and big blue eyes lit up our newsroom. She was a reporter with two wonderful qualities: grace and grit. Her 'Eyewitness News' family is overwhelmed with grief right now. Our hearts are truly broken."

As gathered by Variety from on the ground sources, Colagrossi collapsed Thursday morning while riding in an WABC-TV news van. She had just finished a report for "Eyewitness News This Morning" on the house fire in Queens. A photographer who was with her in the van managed to flag down an ambulance. She was taken to New York Presbyterian Hospital but never regained consciousness. She was pronounced dead on Friday.

Colagrossi joined WABC days after the NYC World Trade Center attacks in 2001. She previously worked as an anchor at WKMG in Orlando, Florida, and NBC station WKYC-TV in Cleveland. While anchoring news in Florida, she won two Suncoast Regional Emmy Awards. In her new New York post, she received several Emmy award nominations. Colagrossi is survived by her husband Todd, and their two sons Davis and Evan.