Illinois NBC News Anchor Lesley Swick Van Ness Dead At 42

Tragically, a former Illinois NBC News anchor named Lesley Swick Van Ness has been confirmed dead at 42. What caused this beautiful former news anchor to pass away in her 40s?

Illinois NBC News Anchor Lesley Swick Van Ness Dead At 42

The news station she was employed with for over a decade, WGEM-TV, confirmed Lesley Swick Van Ness passed away on Monday. Sadly, she was on vacation with her family in Florida at the time of her death.

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The vice president of recruiting at Gray Television (where Lesley was working at the time of her passing) also issued a statement regarding her death:

Jennifer Dale, the vice president of recruiting at Gray Television, where Van Ness was working at the time of her death, wrote in a statement via Muddy River News.

Lesley had been on vacation with her beautiful family in Florida when she fell ill and was hospitalized last Thursday It is with a very heavy heart that we share some devastating news with you. Lesley Van Ness, who we have been so fortunate to have as part of the Gray family, passed away this (Monday) morning. Lesley and her husband Tom have two precious young boys. Please keep all of them in your prayers.”

Additional information about her cause of death has not been made public. Though, her obituary does confirm she was hospitalized in Naples, Florida at the time of her passing.

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A Closer Look At Her Career

Lesley Swick Van Ness kicked off her career as an intern with WGEM-TV. The station revealed that she started out as a report with them in 2003. She was promoted to a weekend anchor in 2006 before becoming an evening anchor in 2008.

Matt Schmidt, who had the pleasure of working beside Lesley, remembers her having a “powerful personality.” He added: “She just had a commanding presence about her. Sitting on the news desk was an awesome experience.”

Brian Inman, a meteorologist who also worked with Lesley, recalled her being an anchor that was never afraid of hard work or getting her hands dirty to get the job done.

Everyone who had the pleasure of working had nothing but kind things to say about her. And, there hearts were broken for her husband and their two young boys.

Rest in peace, Lesley Swick Van Ness.