NBC brass, colleagues say sad farewell when they lose one of their own after coronavirus diagnosis

(Image: Wikimedia)

NBC News Chairman Andy Lack informed staff members that a longtime employee who tested positive for coronavirus has died.

In an email sent to NBC News employees, Lack shared the news that Larry Edgeworth, who had worked as an audio technician with the network for 25 years, had died Thursday from complications resulting from COVID-19.

Edgeworth, who had been working in an equipment room at NBC News’ New York City headquarters, reportedly had underlying health issues before becoming infected with the virus which has claimed over 10,000 lives worldwide.

“As we have heard from medical professionals, those with underlying health concerns are sadly the most vulnerable,” Lack wrote in the email sent on Friday, according to NBC News.

“Many of you were fortunate enough to work with Larry over the years, so you know that he was the guy you wanted by your side no matter where you were,” he added.

Many NBC News staffers have begun working at home amid the outbreak and as at least two other network employees also recently tested positive for coronavirus. Craig Melvin and Al Roker of “Today” have been broadcasting from home, as has co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, after an employee of the 3rd hour of the morning television show tested positive.

“We are fully supporting our colleague, who is experiencing mild symptoms and receiving medical care, and I know you join me in sending our very best for a quick recovery,” NBC News President Noah Oppenheim said Monday in a statement.

Another staffer from the New York offices and a member of the Nightly News team had also tested positive and have been working from home since March 13, according to Oppenheim.

Edgeworth’s death was mourned by many of his NBC News family and Lack promised that his wife and two sons would be looked after.

“We are doing everything we can to support his family during this very difficult time,” he wrote.

He added that Stacy Brady, NBCUniversal’s executive vice president of field and production operations, “says he was known as the ‘gentle giant who would give you the shirt off his back.'”

Guthrie reacted on Twitter, where she shared photos from the “good old days.”

MSNBC’s Ali Velshi noted in his reaction on Twitter that it was “the hardest tweet I have sent during this crisis.”

“Larry was a gentle bear of a man, the heart and soul of our extended NBC family,” Andrea Mitchell said. “I was always cheered and reassured knowing he was on the team in the field. He always had my back whether here in the U.S. or in the most dangerous situations around the world.”

Other tributes were also shared on Twitter by many of Edgeworth’s former colleagues.

DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW

Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!

Success! Thank you for donating. Please share BPR content to help combat the lies.
Frieda Powers

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.

BPR INSIDER COMMENTS

Scroll down for non-member comments or join our insider conversations by becoming a member. We'd love to have you!

Latest Articles