'Beloved' CHCH news director who died before broadcast mourned

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A GoFundMe has been set up for the family of a CHCH employee whose sudden death on Friday has devastated her loved ones.

Chantel Grillo, 39, was a director at the Hamilton TV station. She died in the newsroom prior to the 6 p.m. broadcast, which did not air that evening.

“I can tell you, it has been a painful day unlike any other. We are all heartbroken,” news director Greg O’Brien said in a brief, on-air statement before the abbreviated 11 p.m. newscast.

“Earlier today we had a medical emergency here in our newsroom, where we lost a beloved friend who was one of our most amazing and talented behind-the-scenes colleagues,” he continued.

“This loss is the reason you didn’t have your usual newsroom programming earlier today,” O’Brien explained.

“However, we’ve made the difficult decision to air the work our local journalists have done for you tonight at 11 … We appreciate your understanding and are very thankful for your support.”

There has been no more details released by O’Brien or CHCH but the GoFundMe page, launched by Grillo’s aunt, Patricia Schwenk, said how “heartbroken” the family is after their “beloved Chantel passed away suddenly.”

Grillo leaves behind her husband Al, daughter Alexis, 12, and nine-year-old son Zander, as well as her parents Lisa and Darrell Cleland.

The page continued: “As a news director at CH Chantel also touched the lives of her CH family. They are all devastated by the loss of a much loved friend and colleague.”

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Schwenk added: “During this difficult time we are coming together to support Al and the children.

“Nothing can ease the pain of this tragic loss, but your support on any level will help to alleviate some of the financial burden off of the Grillo Family as they navigate this difficult time.”