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News presenter's harrowing death live on air as viewers watched in horror

WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT Her tragic story has been largely forgotten by most, but viewers will never be able to forget what they saw that day, as the famed news anchor died right before their eyes

[Christine Chubbuck]

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She was just 29 years old(Image: WXLT-TV)

She was a popular American television news presenter but she met a shocking ending when her final moments made history in the most harrowing of ways.

Suncoast Digest was a local community talk show based in Sarasota, Florida, and its host Christine Chubbuck, worked for the two stations WTOG and WXLT-TV.

That was until it was hit with tragedy in 1974, following her death live on air, in a moment that scarred viewers and all of the production team involved.

Aged just 29, the charismatic TV star was hired by the network's owner, Bob Nelson, as a reporter but later given the role to host a community affairs talk show. The intention of the show, as reported in the local paper, was to "feature local people and local activities" as well as attention to "lost' segments of the community".

Colleagues were seemingly unaware about Chubbuck's struggles with depression, which she spoke to her family at great length about.

[Suicide of Christine Chubbuck]

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Christine Chubbuck suffered from Depression(Image: Wikipedia)

Although it had been made clear to co-workers that her 30th birthday was approaching and she remained a virgin, something which she seemed to be insecure about. It's not the first time the host was self-deprecating about her love life, having chaired the 'dateless wonder club' at her college.

But no one could have expected the tragedy that followed when Chubbuck became the first person to die by suicide on a live television broadcast on July 15, 1974.

During her last live segment, Chubbuck announced: "In keeping with Channel 40's policy of bringing you the latest in 'blood and guts', and in living colour, you are going to see another first attempted suicide." She then proceeded to shoot herself.

While the regular audience was small, a number of them contacted the police, and medical help as soon on set. Chubbuck was rushed to hospital and pronounced dead around 14 hours later.

Meanwhile, the footage of this harrowing moment was sealed away by the station and has yet to be viewed since.

[Christine Chubbuck]

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A film was created to honour her life and circumstances (Image: Universal Pictures)

It was revealed by colleagues Chubbuck she had hosted a party just days before the incident, which Craig Sager, a WXLT sportscaster at the time, attended. He shared: "She was having a great time. It was like, 'Oh my God' this is such a different side to her.

"That was her going-away party, and it was her chance to say goodbye to everyone, but of course we didn't realise it at the time. It was just so shocking."

Suncoast Digest continued on air for several years despite the shocking events, and an array of hosts took her place. When asked about it years later, the station director said that Chubbuck's death was completely unrelated to the station.

In 1977 he said: "The crux of the situation was that she was a 29-year-old girl who wanted to be married and who wasn't."

Chubbuck's life and death have since been made into an independent film, released in 2016. The film, Christine, stars Rebecca Hall as the news anchor and had its world premiere at that year's Sundance Film Festival.

The film was well-received, as many people learned about the incident for the very first time through its thoughtful storytelling.

One viewer shared in a Rotten Tomatoes review: "Rebecca Hall is fantastic in this award-worthy performance. It's a haunting exploration of a person who is just desperate for connection and acceptance. It's a tragic tale that needed to be told."

If you or anyone you know is struggling or has been affected by any of the issues in this article, help is available 24/7 in the UK. Call Samaritans for free from any phone on 116 123 or visit a local Samaritans branch.

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