Photo: @AnaOrsiniTV/Facebook
Ana Orsini, a popular local news anchor for CBS affiliate KOLD News 13 in Tucson, Arizona, died last week at the age of 28, according to tributes shared by her colleagues on Tuesday (December 17).
Orsini, who joined the news station in June 2023, died from a brain aneurysm, KOLD confirmed on its website. Several colleagues, including co-anchors Cory Kowitz, Tyler Butler and Carsyn Currier shared personal tributes to Orsini on their social media accounts.
“Last week, we lost a beloved member of our KOLD news team. Ana Orsini was our anchor, a leader of the morning team, and most importantly a great friend to so many at the station,” co-anchor Cory Kowitz wrote on his X account Tuesday, along with a tribute package that aired on the newscast. "I had the pleasure of working with her during the morning, even though it was for too short of a time. Thank you to our talented morning team for putting together this beautiful tribute video. Rest in peace Ana."
"We have some truly sad news to share this morning. Our beloved Ana Orsini TV passed away suddenly late last week," Butler wrote on his Facebook page. She was truly one of a kind. Crazy passionate about helping animals, she had a great and sarcastic sense of humor, and was so dedicated to her family. She LOVED her family and talked about them all the time. I’m glad to have been a small part of her work family. Please take a moment today to think about Ana. A time she made you laugh or think about something in a different way. She was too young, but we can remember her always. For years to come, we’ll be repeating her mantra. “Let the women do the work!”
"While there isn’t enough time for me to truly describe the incredible person Ana Orsini was, there are a few things I’d like to say in remembrance of one of my best friends," Currier wrote on her Instagram account. "Ana was not only beautiful, talented, and hilarious, but she was unlike anyone I’ve ever met. To know Ana was to LOVE her. She made everyone around her feel so special, heard and understood. Waking up in the middle of the night to go to work is always challenging, but knowing I was going to work with Ana made it that much easier. Whether she was dancing around the set or making us all laugh, everyday with Ana was an adventure. Ana’s family was everything to her. She was a proud daughter, sister, and the best dog mom to her baby boy, Harley. She was an advocate for animals, women’s rights, and one heck of a friend. Time may pass, but my memories of Ana will never fade. I love you forever, Ana. You’ll always be the Bratz Doll to my Barbie Doll. 💖 Rest in Peace, sister. 🕊️✨🪽I promise to keep living fully for YOU."
Orsini graduated from Texas A&M University in 2018 and began her professional news career in Lubbock, Texas, shortly after, having also worked at KDRV NewsWatch 12 in Medford, Oregon, prior to being hired by KOLD News 13.