The team at KCEN-TV, an NBC affiliate in Central Texas, delivered heartbreaking news to viewers on October 30, announcing the sudden passing of longtime anchor Kris Radcliffe, aged 51. His co-anchor, Lindsay Liepman, became visibly emotional as she shared the news live, revealing how deeply Radcliffe was respected and loved at the station.
“Kris sat in the chair right beside me, and he was the best. He was simply the best,” Liepman said, holding back tears, told the Deadline. “Funny, genuine, and smart. I looked forward to working with Kris every single night, and I think you all could tell at home. We had fun here. Kris loved this community and never took his role for granted.” Liepman continued, reflecting that if she had known Tuesday would be their final broadcast together, “I would have ignored the cues to wrap from our producers and just laughed a little longer.”
During the emotional tribute, Liepman extended condolences to Radcliffe’s family, including his wife, two daughters, and grandchildren. She expressed gratitude for everything Radcliffe had taught her, adding, “But that is not how life works.” At one point, she admitted she was unable to complete the newscast, saying, “I simply cannot get through the newscast tonight, and I hope you understand.”
In honor of Radcliffe, the station aired a video montage highlighting his 22-year career at KCEN, showcasing his life, mentorship, and deep impact on the community. Reflecting on her friendship with Radcliffe, Liepman later shared with Today.com: “Announcing his death to our viewers was the hardest day of my career, and I’ve had to do a lot of hard things. I didn’t want our viewers to hear the news from anyone else. He would have done the same for me.”
Liepman described Radcliffe as “so easy to love,” emphasizing their strong bond on and off the air. She shared that they were recently nominated for a regional Emmy for their coverage of a tornado, praising him as “an excellent journalist” who made the community feel “safe, seen, and heard.”
Other KCEN journalists also paid tribute to Radcliffe. Baylee Bates, a former co-anchor, shared a slideshow of photos celebrating their time together. Reporter Sydney Dishon expressed her sorrow, writing, “I’ll miss all your advice you gave helping me navigate life in my early 20s. I will treasure your words forever.”
A statement from Radcliffe’s wife, Eden, conveyed her family’s gratitude for the “tremendous outpouring of love and support.” Her sister, Libby, added on social media that while Eden has been reading messages from friends and viewers, responding is currently too difficult.
Radcliffe’s passing has left a profound impact on KCEN and the Central Texas community, where he was a trusted voice for over two decades. His colleagues remember him as a rock, a friend, and a journalist who was always there for his team and viewers.