The host breaks down and breaks the news of the co-host's “unexpected” death

A Central Texas news anchor broke down on air as she tearfully remembered her late co-anchor, who died suddenly.

Lindsay Liepman of NBC affiliate KCEN-TV in Waco and Temple was unable to finish delivering the news on Wednesday, Oct. 30, after informing viewers of the death of her co-anchor Kris Radcliffe earlier in the day died at this age of 51.

“This is an incredibly sad day for our KCEN family,” Liepman began. “My co-host Kris Radcliffe died unexpectedly and we received the news today. Kris sat in the chair right next to me and he was the best, he was just the best.”

As Liepman continued to remember her beloved colleague, her voice began to break.

“Funny, genuine and smart, I looked forward to working with Kris every night and I think everyone at home can tell,” she said. “We had fun here. Kris loved this community and never took his role for granted.”

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She added: “If I had known that yesterday would be our last newscast together, I would have ignored our producers' hints at the end and just laughed a little longer at all his jokes. He always has a lot of jokes.”

The newsreader also paid tribute to Radcliffe – who worked at the station for 22 years – for his influence on the station.

“I would have thanked him for everything he taught me and gave to all of you, the viewers, but that's not how life works,” Liepman continued. “What you don't see on air is the time we spend talking about our families and our group chats. He loved talking about sports and politics. It was important for me to share now what he meant to us here at KCEN because I know he would have done the same for me.”

Liepman then directed her thoughts and prayers to Kris' wife Eden and their two daughters and two grandchildren, who “adored” the journalist.

“Every time he came into the newsroom, he had a new story about his grandchildren,” Liepman said.

She then informed the audience that she was withdrawing from the television broadcast. “I just can't get through the newscast tonight and I hope you understand that,” she said.

Before the station's sister station in Austin took over the newscast for the emotional anchor, KCEN showed highlights from Radcliffe's career.

California native Radcliffe joined the station in 2002 as a sports anchor. The award-winning journalist later moved to anchor the evening news in 2018.

“This is a real loss for our community, his family, and I know he positively impacted so many of your lives. “I think it was an honor for him to do this job, it was an honor for us to work with Kris,” Liepman said.