KTLA mourns the sudden death of anchor Chris Burrous

Less than 24 hours after beloved KTLA news anchor Chris Burrous was found unresponsive in a Glendale, Calif., motel, the 43-year-old’s colleagues are expressing shock and sadness at the tragic loss. The longtime TV news personality had reportedly been an instrumental part of KTLA’s success since joining in 2011, leading the station’s weekend program alongside co-anchor Lynette Romero.

In a touching Twitter post Friday morning, Romero shared a picture of the two from last weekend. “There are no words,” Romero tweeted. “When we took this picture during our show I had no idea it would our last time together. You made me laugh until I cried. My tears now are for your sweet little girl, your wife Mai and your dear parents. We will miss you so…”

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Lynette Romero

✔@LynetteRomero

There are no words. When we took this picture during our show I had no idea it would our last time together. You made me laugh until I cried. My tears now are for your sweet little girl, your wife Mai and your dear parents. We will miss you so…

Burrous, the son of a NASA engineer, had been married to his wife, Mai, for 15 years, and they have a 9-year-old daughter. In a tear-filled dispatch Friday morning, KTLA anchor Sara Welch called Burrous’ death a “heartbreaking loss,” and said that the notes from fans prove how important he was to the L.A. area. “The viewer condolences are beautiful,” said Welch. “They’re pouring in remembering Chris as someone who came into their homes every weekend morning, someone they woke up to.”

Welch read a tribute from viewer David Joseph Silver. “Chris was an amazing and unique broadcaster and he will be missed greatly. I loved watching him go just a little too far and having Lynette have to reel him in. I cannot think of another news personality that had the great sense of humor that he did, and was willing to share his opinion on most any subject. One of a kind.”

In another touching video, weekend meteorologist Liberte Chan called him a “master of live television” and said she’s devastated over the loss. “I miss him so much, and I’m sorry I don’t have the words to express exactly how I feel,” said Chan, fighting back tears. “But he was more than just a colleague, he was one of my best friends here and I’m so heartbroken over the loss of him.”

More tributes poured in on Instagram, including one from entertainment reporter Dayna Devon, who called him an “incredible journalist” and “one of a kind.”

While the official cause of death for Burrous has not been released, Variety reported that authorities mentioned Burrous “may have overdosed.” The former news anchor was reportedly with another person at the Days Inn, who tried — unsuccessfully — to keep him alive through CPR. Following the 43-year-old’s death, KTLA president and general manager Don Corsini and news director Jason Ball issued a joint statement:

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Burrous family,” the statement reads. “Chris loved sharing the stories of Southern California and connecting with our viewers. He will be remembered as a great journalist and a wonderful friend to many. He brought a kindness to his work and will be deeply missed by the entire KTLA family.”