Chauncy Glover dies at 39: KCAL presenter was a mentor for black youth

KCAL news anchor and three-time Emmy winner Chauncy Glover died unexpectedly on Tuesday at the age of 39, causing great sadness among fans in Los Angeles and Houston, where he was an anchor at the ABC network for eight years.

Glover is remembered not only for his on-air charisma and journalistic passion, but also for his big heart and generous spirit.

In 2017, he helped save a woman in labor and deliver the baby while covering Hurricane Harvey, according to ABC13 in Houston. He founded a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Black and Latino youth in 2013 after covering a recent news story in which he witnessed a high school student die on the streets of Detroit after the student was shot was when he tried to rob his school's basketball coach

His family did not share information about the circumstances of his death, but released a statement acknowledging Glover's impact on the communities he served through his journalism and charity work.

“Chauncy’s compassion and commitment to helping others, especially through the Chauncy Glover Project, have changed countless lives and inspired so many young men to pursue their dreams,” the family wrote. “His talent, warmth and vision left an impression on everyone who knew him, and the world is a bleaker place without him.”

Glover joined the KCAL team in October 2023 and co-anchored the 5 and 11 p.m. newscasts with Pat Harvey and the 8 and 10 p.m. newscasts with Suzie Suh. Previously, he was the first male lead anchor at KTRK in Houston for eight years and also reported for stations in Columbus, Georgia, Jacksonville, Florida and Detroit.

Fans left messages of condolence on Glover's Instagram account.

“Houston TX was sad when you announced you were going to LA, but knew you would be as much of a blessing to them as you were to us. “You did so much for us during Harvey and so much for young men,” wrote one commenter from Texas. “Although we are saddened by this news, we know that heaven has gained an angel.”

Born in Athens, Alabama, in 1985, Glover, according to his KCAL biography, “caught the news bug at age 5” when his father built him a mini-anchor where he would deliver newscasts to his family every Sunday after the Sunday after Church. Glover went on to study broadcast journalism, music and theater at Troy University before starting his television career at WTVM News Leader 9 in Columbus, Georgia.

In October 2023, Glover said that joining KCAL gave him the chance to further pursue his childhood dream.

“I am keenly aware of what KCAL means to Southern California, and I have long been an admirer of many of my new colleagues, including the legendary Pat Harvey – someone I greatly respect as a journalist and who shares my love of singing with joy Making noise,” he said in a statement.

Glover was a man of many talents. He appeared in several national plays and off-Broadway shows and was asked to sing at the funeral of civil rights activist Rosa Parks in Montgomery, Alabama. He also served as a motivational speaker, traveling around the country speaking to the next generation of journalists.

According to Glover's KCAL biography, his nonprofit organization, the Chauncy Glover Project, has sent more than 350 boys of color to college, mentored more than 1,000 young men and received recognition from former President Obama.

“You have changed my life a lot in the last 7 years. Why. I love you, Chauncy,” one of his mentees wrote in a post on X. “You have done a lot for me in the CGP program. Get some rest. You have had a huge impact on my life.”

His death came as a shock to his many fans who were used to seeing him on KCAL's evening broadcasts.

“My heart is really sad today,” one commenter wrote on Instagram. “I immediately had tears in my eyes, I'm so sorry. … We will really miss you.”

The National Assn. of Black Journalists released a statement on Glover's death, remembering him as a “kind soul” and “great encourager.” He previously won the association's Angelo B. Henderson Community Service Award and Salute to Excellence Award.