10 Local TV Anchors Who Disappeared from the Airwaves
These once-familiar faces brought us the news—until they vanished without warning.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Local TV anchors often become part of our daily routines. Their presence was comforting and consistent, but sometimes, they suddenly vanish from the airwaves, leaving viewers puzzled and curious. Here are 10 anchors who disappeared and what really happened behind the scenes.
1. Lisa Colagrossi – WABC-TV, New York
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Lisa was a trusted morning reporter, and she was admired for her professionalism and warmth. Tragically, she collapsed after a live report in 2015 due to a brain aneurysm and never recovered.
2. Brendan Higgins – KXAS-TV, Dallas
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A charismatic anchor with a big personality, Brendan left after a public incident in 2014 involving a hotel arrest. Though charges were dropped, his career never bounced back.
3. Wendy Bell – WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh
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Wendy had a devoted following until a controversial Facebook post in 2016 led to her dismissal. Despite the backlash, she stood by her comments, later moving into conservative radio.
4. Mark Mester – KTLA, Los Angeles
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Mark disappeared from KTLA after an emotional on-air defense of co-anchor Lynette Romero, who had just left the station. Management pulled him off the air, and he was later terminated.
5. Amanda Davis – WGCL-TV, Atlanta
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Amanda had a long career but faced personal struggles, including a DUI arrest. She took a hiatus, later making a triumphant return to television.
6. Romona Robinson – WKYC, Cleveland
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Romona was one of the first African American women to anchor a nightly newscast in Cleveland. After decades of award-winning work, she quietly stepped away from the desk in 2018.
7. Dave Benton – WCIA, Champaign
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In a rare and touching moment, Dave publicly announced he had brain cancer—live on air. He continued to anchor for months, even as the illness progressed.
8. Kristi Capel – WJW-TV, Cleveland
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Kristi made headlines after accidentally using a racial slur on air in 2015. Though she apologized and kept her job initially, her presence on screen slowly diminished.
9. Chris Burrous – KTLA, Los Angeles
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Known for his quirky charm and engaging personality, Chris became a fan favorite. His sudden death in 2018 from an overdose shocked the community.
10. Darieth Chisolm – WPXI, Pittsburgh
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Darieth left her anchor role abruptly in 2013, later revealing her desire to focus on personal empowerment projects. She founded a platform supporting victims of revenge porn after becoming one herself.