NBC news anchor Lesley Swick Van Ness, who worked for WGEM-TV and Gray Television, has died after falling ill during a family holiday in Florida. She was raced to hospital last Thursday when she came down with the sickness but was subsequently pronounced dead on Monday of this week.

NBC news star Lesley Swick Van Ness has tragically died aged just 42.

The WGEM-TV and Gray Television had fallen ill during a family holiday in Floria and had been taken to the hospital.

Sadly, she was pronounced dead on Monday earlier this week.

Her heartbroken co-worker Jennifer Dale paid tribute to her friend as she asked fans to keep her family in their prayers.

“It is with a very heavy heart that we share some devastating news with you.

“Lesley Van Ness, who we have been so fortunate to have as part of the Gray family, passed away this (Monday) morning,” the vice president of recruiting at Gray Television said in a statement.

“Lesley had been on vacation with her beautiful family in Florida when she fell ill and was hospitalized last Thursday.

“Lesley and her husband Tom have two precious young boys.

“Please keep all of them in your prayers.”

“We will keep everyone posted on arrangements,” Jennifer added in a statement shared with Muddy River News.

Lesley’s colleagues have also been paying tribute to her, describing their friend as a “powerful” force who “did her job with integrity”.

Matt Schmidt, her co-anchor of seven years, said: “She could walk into the newsroom and instantly take over.

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“She just had a commanding presence about her.

“Sitting on the news desk was an awesome experience.”

WGEM-TV meteorologist Brian Inman added: “She wasn’t afraid to do the dirty work and wasn’t afraid to work the extra hour.

“Especially if it was something that was really impacting the community.”

Lesley graduated from Illinois State University before starting her career with NBC in 2003.

In 2006, she transitioned to a weekend anchor position at WGEM-TV and began anchoring the weekday editions of the evening and late-night newscasts in 2008.

Lesley’s funeral will be held on April 17 in Quincy, Illinois, and friends and family are invited to attend the service.

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