Veteran New York NBC reporter Katherine Creag died suddenly on Wednesday night, the network announced on Thursday.
She was 47 years old.
Creag, who joined WNBC in 2011 and was among the familiar faces in the morning on “Today in New York”, had not been ill and was recently working on Wednesday morning.
The network called his death “unexpected”, but did not disclose other details.
“For ten years, Kat was one of our pillars, always willing to help in any situation, whether it was a needy colleague or a shift that needed to be covered,” said WNBC vice president of news Amy Morris in an e- team mail. “She was thoughtful, funny and unforgiving. And even on the most difficult days she was a bright, quick light with a kind word and a smile.”
The Emmy-winning journalist was remembered for her love of Filipino food, her “boundless energy” and her vivacious smile.
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Creag reported for “Today in New York”, which airs from 4:30 am to 7 am, and appeared again at 11 am
She wrote in her Twitter bio: “Sleep, what is this ?! I am going to work when you are coming home from the club.”
Creag graduated from New York University in 1996 and spent five years at Fox before signing with NBC. She has won or shared several Emmy, Associated Press and Edward R. Murrow awards during her career.
Other reporters were surprised by Creag’s untimely death. “Kat, we love you and we can’t believe you left us,” tweeted reporter PIX11 Kirstin Cole. “The morning news crews in New York are a closed group of people who wake up in the middle of the night. You are the most kind and loving mother and human. I will always keep your smile in my heart.”
CNN correspondent Shimon Prokupecz wrote, “Thinking about her lovely family and my ex-colleagues this morning. She was the happiest and happiest person.”
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Manila-born Creag leaves her 14-year-old husband Bill Gafner and his three sons – a son and two daughters.
Gafner was not found immediately.