Local Arizona news anchor Ana Orsini died “unexpectedly” of a brain aneurysm last week, her devastated colleagues announced during a live broadcast.

On Monday (Dec. 16), anchors Tyler Butler and Carsyn Currier of Tucson-based CBS affiliate KOLD-TV 13 News shared the news of their colleague’s death. “Our beloved friend and co-host Ana Orsini passed away unexpectedly last week,” Butler began the segment.

Currier’s voice cracked as she told viewers that “we are devastated by this loss,” while Butler tried to comfort Currier.

“We had the opportunity to work with her every day. We want you to know that what you saw with her on air – the fun, crazy person that she was – that’s exactly what she was off camera and more,” he continued.

The co-hosts said they wore pink colors on the show in honor of their colleague.

Currier then presented a video tribute summarizing some of Orsini’s most memorable moments with 13 News since she joined the team in June 2023.

According to a statement from Arizona TV, Orsini was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. She graduated from Texas A&M University in 2018. This year she began her career in Lubbock, Texas, where she worked as an anchor and reporter. Orsini later worked as a morning and midday anchor in Medford, Oregon for three years before moving to southern Arizona.

“Ana’s friends and colleagues remember her as someone with boundless empathy who always stood up for the ‘little guy,'” 13 News said. “She was a smiling face, especially to all of her newest and youngest colleagues, and in all the newsrooms where she worked, she was known for taking them under her wing and being a strong mentor in work and life.

“Animal rescue was her passion and if she wasn’t celebrating Fur Baby Friday she would be trying to find a new home for a sweet animal in need. If Ana found out that you loved true crime like she does, she would share the calendar she kept to track the releases of all the new episodes of the best podcasts,” her colleagues continued.

“Her favorite was Obsessed with true crimeand if you spent more than five minutes with Ana without hearing her favorite quote from it: “Let the women do the work,” then something was seriously wrong! She was a peanut butter M&M-loving, platform Ugg-wearing, pink or purple Stanley-wearing ray of sunshine, even at 4:00 in the morning.”

Orsini’s family also shared a statement hoping the news anchor is “remembered as the bright, sunny person that she was” and encouraged viewers to donate to the local animal shelter in her memory.

Meanwhile, on December 16, Currier posted her own tribute to her colleague and “best friend” on Facebook. In addition to a heartfelt tribute, the news anchor also posted several photos with Orsini.

“While I don’t have time to truly describe the incredible person that Ana Orsini was, there are a few things I would like to say in memory of one of my best friends,” Currier wrote. “Ana was not only beautiful, talented and funny, she was also unlike anyone I have ever met. To know Ana was to love her. She made everyone around her feel special, heard and understood.

“Getting up in the middle of the night to go to work is always a challenge, but knowing that I would be working with Ana made it much easier. Whether she was dancing on set or making us all laugh, every day 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 little son Harley. She was an advocate for animals, women’s rights and a true friend.

“Time may pass, but my memories of Ana will never fade. I love you forever, Ana. You will always be the Bratz doll to my Barbie doll. Rest in peace, sister. I promise to continue to live fully for YOU,” Currier concluded.