The anchor reportedly took her last breath at her home in Detroit. RIP BEAUTIFUL., Vicky Baftiri wrote: Im heartbroken. }); The longtime news vet was 57-years-old. Our bodies die, but her spirit will forever live. Just got the news that longtime @WGNTV anchor Allison Payne has died. She was 57. For 21 years she was theee face of @WGNNews for me, a little black girl living in Bolingbrook, IL. Payne met the 8-year-old, who was battling neuroblastoma, on a team visit to a local hospital several years earlier and struck up a friendship. Payne played an influential part in many Chicago reporters and producers careers. Thank you for sharing these details with us. According to the outlet, Payne covered numerous top stories across the globe, including "tracing former President Barack Obamas roots in Kenya and traveling to the Ivory Coast alongside the Rev. A native of Richmond, Virginia, Payne grew up in Detroit and graduated from the University of Detroit and Bowling Green State University. Payne and WGN parted ways in 2011 after she suffered a series of unfortunate health events, the station said. Even after Payne, 45, was demoted in 2009 from the 9 p.m. newscast she'd co-anchored for 18 years and moved first to 5:30 p.m. and then to 11 a.m., her performance and appearance on the air . She co-anchored WGN News for 21 years earning 9 Emmys. hitType: 'event', No one knows what takes us into the depths of depression and how we handle it.may you rip. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. Payne later moved to NBC affiliate WNEM-TV (channel 5, now a CBS affiliate) in Saginaw, Michigan, as the co-anchor of the 6 and 11 p.m. Email us at exclusive@the-sun.com or call 212 416 4552. media-tech companies with hubs around the world. Before her departure from Chicago TV news, Payne described suffering a series of mini-strokes. Twenty years ago, when I first came to Chicago, I felt like I might be headed down the path of a drinking problem. Beverly Payne was the first. Former Chicago TV anchor Allison Payne, a nine-time Emmy award-winning journalist, died on Sept. 1 in her hometown of Detroit. He became my AA sponsor. }); "After a series of unfortunate health events, Payne and WGN parted ways in September 2011 as she returned to her hometown of Detroit,"WGN said in its statement. As many of you know, Allison Payne was referred to as a sweet kind woman and a great anchor being a nine-time Emmy Award winner. My Condolences to her family, friends, and supporters of her WGNTV program. pg.acq.push(function() { When the Michigan State Spartans won the Big Ten title in 2014, Payne let her cut down the net. You rocked my sister!!!!! The station said Payne returned. Payne later co-anchored with Steve Sanders and Mark Suppelsa. Tributes quickly poured in for Payne. One could only speculate where that incredible career was going to go, said Tom Skilling, WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist, and longtime co-worker. 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Your email address will not be published. document.querySelector("#adunit").addEventListener('click',function(){ It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. window.adsContainer = {"positionAfterTitle":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle5_Rel_Newrev","isOrganicUserAd":true,"max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position2":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_After_Title_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position3":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Below_Next_Rel_Newrev","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position4":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle_Rel_Newrev","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position5":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle1_Rel_Newrev","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position6":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle2_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position7":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle3_Rel_Newrev","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position8":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle4_Rel_Newrev","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position9":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle5_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position10":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle6_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position11":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle7_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position12":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle8_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position13":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle9_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position14":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle10_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position15":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle11_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position16":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle12_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"positionTop":{"code":"Article_Desktop_970x250_Header_Rel","isOrganicUserAd":false,"max_width":970,"max_height":250},"positionBottom":{"code":"Article_Desktop_Sidebar_Bottom_Rel_Newrev","isOrganicUserAd":true,"max_width":300,"max_height":600},"positionBottomRight":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_After_Title_Rel_Newrev","isOrganicUserAd":true,"max_width":336,"max_height":280}} Allison Payne understood the importance of lifting others up so they too could have an opportunity to shine. What was her death cause? We are one of the worlds fastest growing }); WGN-TV is mourning the loss of longtime former anchor Allison Payne, who died on September 1 at the age of 57. Substance abuse can become a problem," she said at the time. ga('ads.send', { ", Im heartbroken. Allison Payne passed away on September 1. I have to ask people to be patient with that in terms of slurring and things.. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), She suffered a lot of health issues the last several years, Roland S. Martin wrote. Upon the news of Allisons death, other TV veterans shared their memories of the 57-year-old. I don't want to play a violin, but I am still recovering, she said at the time. Chicago Public Radio blogger Robert Feder reported Paynes remark, recalling howPayne responded to viewer concerns over her slurred speech and swiveling in her chair on an August 2008 broadcast. eventAction: 'load' Is Nanci Griffiths Cause of Death Related to a Health Problem? reporters on a platform technologically tailored to meet the needs of the modern reader. WGN stated back then: After a series of unfortunate health events, Payne and WGN parted ways in September 2011 as she returned to her hometown of Detroit.. Allison Payne is even featured on Wikipedia biography. Allison was a beautiful woman inside and out. What is the Cause of the Death of Allison Payne? Tributes quickly poured in for Payne on social media. "Damn. The sudden death of Payne was confirmed by WGN, through a statement. hitType: 'event', She was a longtime anchor and reporter at CW affiliate and cable superstation WGN-TV in Chicago, Illinois. Her cause of death has not been revealed. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. WGN's weather producer said, "I'm so sad to hear about the passing of former WGN news anchor Allison Payne. In 2008, Allison suffered from mini-strokes in both January and August. RIP sweet friend. That led to her announcing an indefinite leave of absence in November 2008 andadmitted in January 2009that she was being treated for depression. She was always willing to help young African American inspiring journalists. Allison Payne's cause of death is yet untold but stay for more details. Former WGN anchor Allison Payne dead at 57: She was proud of excellence, Putins pollock: U.S. seafood imports fuel Russian war machine, Chicago police supervisors obstructed probe of sergeants suicide, resigned before they could be fired, inspector general says, Tom Dart, judge at odds over required 2-day furlough from home confinement for suspects on bail, ATF cited stores that most often sold guns used in Chicago crimes, then let them off easy, Outlaws Motorcycle Club enforcer denied compassionate release, showed no compassion in killing McHenry County couple, Taxing times for popular South Side restaurant eased by county agency, Lightfoot is out, Vallas and Johnson are in the April runoff, No major damage reported as tornadoes briefly touch down in Joliet, Naperville, Progressive leaders can blame themselves if Garcia or Johnson fail to make mayoral runoff, Blackhawks trade Patrick Kane to Rangers in era-ending move, Oscar predictions: Signs point to Everything turning to gold, Orioles, Pirates dont need umpires to finish game, Arrest warrant issued for top draft prospect Jalen Carter, Kobe Bryant family agrees to $28.5 million settlement over crash site photos, Rain or snow coming later this week; NWS says stay tuned, Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre cant be taken seriously, or humorously. ga('ads.send', { Payne served as co-anchor of the WGN Midday News from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.[2]. She was 57. During her 21 year tenure at WGN, she won nine Emmys, co-anchored both the stations primetime newscast and the midday news show. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('slotRenderEnded', function(event) { "I also fully intend to continue my work in the community here. Payne, 31, was known for the bond he formed with a young girl who had become ill with cancer. hitType: 'event', ga('ads.send', { After 2 years, Payne opened about her alcoholism. She was such a private person about her life, although we know she took an indefinite leave of absence back in November 2008. Payne admitted in an interview with Chicago Tribune media columnist Phil Rosenthal that she sought treatment for depression during her absence months earlier. Because he was coming clean and he was letting go of his shame. No way I was drunk on the air. She was 57. [5], Payne traveled to Kenya to trace Barack Obama's roots, and to the Middle East to cover the Reverend Jesse Jackson's peace negotiations between Israel and Lebanon.[6]. Fans mourn demise of legendary motorsports journalist, How did Robert Kekaula die? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. A decade+ later, I started working at WGN. She inspired so many young black girls because we could see ourselves in her.. }); Remember that time I told you I was not drinking? said Payne. I cant believe shes gone. It was really bad. She was amazing. However, the relationship between the two was never confirmed. died today of cancer at age 51. Jason Statham, Hugh Grant and Aubrey Plaza star in an inconsequential serving of empty cinematic calories. newscast. She was hired. A sweet and wonderful lady., One tweeted: R.I.P. She was 57-years-old. A series of unprofessional on-air appearances, including slurring of words, glassy-eyed gazes, and sobbing led to massive criticisms, forced the channel to demote her from the 5:30 pm and 9:00 pm newscast. She was 57-years-old. She was born on February 12, 1964, in Richmond, Virginia, United States. She disclosed that she was recovering after spending 20 years as an alcoholic. The teams played an unneeded bottom of the ninth so players could get in more work. Allison suffered a series of health issues although a cause of death has not been released. Similarly, she attended the University of Detroit Mercy. Sudden death of Allison Payne only speculate where that incredible career was going to go, said Tom,. And WGN parted ways in 2011 after she suffered a series of.! News, Payne opened about her alcoholism but her spirit will forever.. Many Chicago reporters and producers careers Steve Sanders and Mark Suppelsa of unfortunate health,... 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