Missing Local TV Station Employee, 34, Found Dead from Apparent Suicide: 'We Don't Have All the Answers'

Mar. 15, 2025

An employee at an NBC Chicago affiliate who went missing last week has died of an apparent suicide, according to a statement from his family.

The station shared a statement from Spencer’s family, who requested privacy at this time.

“Thank you all for your help and concern in trying to find Kevin,” the family wrote. “It is with a heavy heart that I share that he is no longer with us. While we don’t have all the answers, we ask for privacy and respect as we process this devastating loss. Please keep his loved ones in your thoughts during this difficult time.”

In an email to PEOPLE on Wednesday, the Chicago Police Department said the case remains an open investigation.

Kevin Spencer.Chicago Police Dept.

Chicago Police Dept.

He added that Spencer “was a respected and dedicated teammate who made sure he was always there to help us 24/7 with his signature calm, kind approach.”

“We will miss him more than words can express. Kevin’s family has asked for privacy and respect at this time as they process this devastating loss,” he continued. “On behalf of everyone at NBCUniversal Local Chicago, we send out our deepest sympathies to Kevin’s family, friends and colleagues. He will always have a special place in our hearts.”

As WMAQ previously reported, Spencer had not shown up for work that week, which concerned his family and friends.

“We talked for about an hour on the phone and the conversation went real well,” Jennifer Brinkley, Spencer’s sister, told the news station of their last conversation on Monday, Jan. 20.

“We basically just talked about my laptop, getting photos off of that, but we just talked about day-to-day life and, you know, about how he’s pursuing school constantly. And it was just normal conversation about Kevin continuously pursuing his career,” Brinkley added.

Brinkley also told WMAQ that she was notified that Spencer had not reported for work on Monday, Jan. 27, noting that his scooter was still at his home.

“I believe they said that he didn’t even call in for work and to let them know that he was not going to be there. And that’s just not like my brother whatsoever,” she said.

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The station had previously expressed concern for Spencer in a news broadcast and asked viewers with information on his possible whereabouts to contact Chicago Police.

“I think some of the folks that work with him on a regular basis, they knew something was wrong early in the day,” Cross said at the time, according to the station.

“And so one, he didn’t do that,” Cross continued. “And then two, he was not here. And I think good on his managers to say that, ‘Something’s not right. This is out of character for Kevin.’ "

source: people.com