Emily Matson: Beloved Pennsylvania Erie News Now anchor known as 'shining light' dies at 42

ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA: A beloved Pennsylvania news anchor who was termed a 'shining light' in her newsroom has died at the age of 42. Emily Matson was a news anchor who worked for 17 years at Erie News Now before the local broadcast outlet "learned" of her death.

The outlet's parent company, Lilly Broadcasting, confirmed the news in a statement released Monday, December 11. No cause of death has been revealed as of now. 

What did the company say after Emily Matson's death?

“It is with a very heavy heart that we have learned of the passing of our beloved Erie News Now news anchor Emily Matson,” the company said according to Deadline, adding that “Emily was a shining light in our newsroom, delivering news with a passion and love she had for the Erie community and Northwest Pennsylvania.”

“We loved Emily dearly and our hearts go out to the Matson family and her husband Ryan at this time,” the statement concluded.

Emily Matson's Erie News Now colleagues paid tribute to her on social media

In a tribute on Facebook, one of Matson's Erie News Now colleagues, reporter Jamison Hixenbaugh, called her death “utterly devastating.” He added that “there are no words to describe the loss of Emily.”

“Working side-by-side with her off-and-on for the past 15 years, I can vouch...she was one of the most wonderful people I've ever met,“ Hixenbaugh continued, adding “She was such a talented journalist and anchor, but even more, she was an incredible friend."

WVLT-TV anchor Christyn Allen, who previously worked with Matson at Erie News Now, described her former colleague as "the brightest light" in a lengthy Instagram tribute.

“She was a fiercely loyal friend, and if you were lucky enough to be one of her people, you'd hit the jackpot. She always made sure her people were taken care of. I'm so thankful our paths crossed, and we never lost touch," Allen wrote.

Emily Matson started her career by working for NBC 

According to Matson’s profile on the outlet’s website, she started her broadcast news career by working at the NBC affiliate WICU-TV, producing a morning show before leaving that post to become a general assignment reporter.

“I feel I'm really making a difference in the Erie community, meeting new people, and telling the stories that affect everybody every day,” she said, as per her profile, which also noted that she was a two-time recipient of the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters’ Outstanding Spot News award.

As a member of the Erie News Now team, she co-anchored the 7 pm desk with John Stehlin and then the 11 pm desk alongside Mike Ruzzi. “I must be dreaming! An anchor gig in my hometown! I am so happy to be in Erie, telling the stories which impact my neighbors every day,” Matson said of her job, according to her profile page.