Ana Orsini, beloved Arizona TV news anchor, dies at 28 of brain aneurysm: 'Devastated'

An Arizona TV station is mourning the death of one of its anchors.

Ana Orsini, 28, a morning anchor at KOLD 13 News in Tucson, Arizona, died from a brain aneurysm, according to the station.

"The 13 News Family is saddened to report the passing of our beloved friend and co-anchor Ana Orsini," a story on the station's website says. "Ana had been at 13 News since June 2023 and we are devastated by her unexpected passing."

The story also said that "Ana's friends and coworkers remember her as someone with bottomless empathy who always stood up for 'the little guy.' She was a smiling face most especially for all her newest and youngest coworkers, and she is known in all the newsrooms where she worked for taking them under her wing and being a strong mentor for both work and life."

The station declined comment beyond what is in the story. But Orsini's co-workers expressed their shock and sadness on social media.

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"She was truly one of a kind," Ty Butler, a KOLD anchor, posted on Facebook. "Crazy passionate about helping animals, she had a great and sarcastic sense of humor, and was so dedicated to her family. She LOVED her family and talked about them all the time. I'm glad to have been a small part of her work family.

"Please take a moment today to think about Ana. A time she made you laugh or think about something in a different way. She was too young, but we can remember her always. For years to come, we'll be repeating her mantra. 'Let the women do the work!'"

That was a phrase Orsini often said during broadcasts, as evidenced by a clip the station put together of highlights of her work.

Cory Kowitz, a meteorologist at the station, posted on Instagram that Orsini was "our anchor, a leader of the morning team, and most importantly a great friend to so many at the station. I had the pleasure of working with her during the morning show, even though it was for too short of a time."

Ashe Hajek, former KDRV TV producer in Medford, Oregon, where Orsini worked before starting at KOLD, said in a story on the station's website that Orsini was "a force to be reckoned with, and she let you know it. She was brave, and strong and had a willingness to try anything once during my time with her at KDRV. 

"When I first met Ana, she was at her desk, covered head to toe in pink. She was courageous, and fearless, and knew how to lead a newsroom with a look alone. She never shied away from being her authentic self and pushed others to find their path."

Orsini's career began in Lubbock, Texas, in 2018, after she graduated from Texas A&M University, according to the KOLD website.