An Arizona television station is grieving the loss of one of its anchors.

Ana Orsini, who was 28 and worked as a morning anchor at KOLD 13 News in Tucson, Arizona, has passed away following a brain aneurysm, as reported by the station.

“The 13 News Family is heartbroken to announce the passing of our dear friend and co-anchor Ana Orsini,” reads a statement on the station’s website. “Ana joined us at 13 News in June 2023 and her sudden loss has left us all devastated.”

The announcement further described Ana as someone with immense compassion who always advocated for “the little guy.” She was known for her warm smile, especially towards her newest and youngest colleagues, and was recognized in all the newsrooms she worked in for mentoring them both professionally and personally.

The station refrained from further comments beyond the posted statement. However, Orsini’s colleagues shared their shock and grief through social media platforms.

“She was genuinely one of a kind,” posted Ty Butler, a KOLD anchor on Facebook. “Deeply passionate about animal welfare, she had a fantastic and witty sense of humor and was devoted to her family. Her love for her family was evident; she spoke about them constantly. I’m grateful to have been a small part of her professional family.

“Take a moment today to remember Ana. Think of a time she made you laugh or prompted you to see things differently. She was too young to be taken from us, but we will hold onto her memory. We will carry her mantra forward: ‘Let the women do the work!'”

This was a phrase Orsini frequently used during broadcasts, highlighted in a compilation of her work shared by the station.

Cory Kowitz, a meteorologist at the station, expressed on Instagram that Orsini was “our anchor, a leader on the morning team, and most importantly, a wonderful friend to many of us at the station. I felt fortunate to work alongside her even though it was for such a brief time.”

Ashe Hajek, a former KDRV TV producer in Medford, Oregon, where Orsini worked prior to KOLD, remarked on the station’s website that Orsini was “a formidable presence who made her impact known. She was brave, strong, and open to trying new things during our time at KDRV.

“When I first encountered Ana, she sat at her desk dressed entirely in pink. She was daring and confident, capable of leading a newsroom with just a glance. She was unapologetically herself and encouraged others to discover their own paths.”

Orsini kicked off her journalism career in Lubbock, Texas, in 2018 after graduating from Texas A&M University, according to KOLD’s website.

Contact Goodykoontz at bill.goodykoontz@arizonarepublic.com. Find him on Facebook: facebook.com/GoodyOnFilm. Follow him on X: @goodyk.