This morning, Alison Parker, a news reporter for WDBJ7-TV in Roanoke, Virginia, set off to cover an early morning story with cameraman Adam Ward. It wasn’t anything Earth-shattering. It was about a resort. Normal news for an audience who was sleepily looking at the television while sipping coffee and wishing it was Friday. It was a normal reporting day for some extraordinary people.
Until it wasn’t.
Around 6:45 a.m. is when the tragedy struck.
The entire news station, and people across the country are in complete shock over this event.
Alison, who had just turned 24, graduated from James Madison University and was a sister of Alpha Phi. In her days there she was very involved with the sorority. According to LinkedIn, she was the Vice President of Marketing, Collegiate Perspective Blogger, and Director of Online Media for her organization. In addition to her influence in Greek life, she was very involved on campus and in the community. As the news station reflected, she’s described as being loud (naturally) and that “they could hear her coming from a mile away.” She was passionate and driven and always had a smile on her face. She was what a sister should be.
Her boyfriend, and fellow news anchor, Chris Hurst, tweeted about the tragedy this morning.
We didn't share this publicly, but @AParkerWDBJ7 and I were very much in love. We just moved in together. I am numb. pic.twitter.com/tUrHVwAXcN
— Chris Hurst (@chrishurstwdbj) August 26, 2015
We were together almost nine months. It was the best nine months of our lives. We wanted to get married.We just celebrated her 24th birthday
— Chris Hurst (@chrishurstwdbj) August 26, 2015
She was the most radiant woman I ever met. And for some reason she loved me back. She loved her family, her parents and her brother.
— Chris Hurst (@chrishurstwdbj) August 26, 2015
I am comforted by everyone at @WDBJ7. We are a family. She worked with Adam every day. They were a team. I am heartbroken for his fiancee.
— Chris Hurst (@chrishurstwdbj) August 26, 2015
Her cameraman, Adam, was engaged to a fellow employee. Today was his fiancé’s last day at the station, and they were planning to have a party to celebrate this afternoon. The two were moving to Charlotte together to start a new life. Today is a sad day for Greek life, media, and our nation. Our thoughts are with the families of Alison Parker and Adam Ward and the Alpha Phi sorority..
[via WDBJ7,]
Image via WDBJ7
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