Popular New Orleans Broadcaster Nancy Parker Dead In Bizarre Plane Accident At 53
She was a popular figure in New Orleans.
instagram News reporters have one of the toughest jobs on television. Not only must they report sometimes emotional stories, but they are required to remain neutral and report facts. Sometimes, these reporters travel for the latest on breaking news, and even risk their lives to get to the bottom of the story.
But what we don’t count on is a journalist dying in a freak accident while attempting to report on a story. And that’s exactly what happened this past week to FOX 8 New Orleans reporter and anchor, Nancy Parker, age 53.
How did Nancy Parker die? On Friday, while aboard a small plane, Parker was killed when the plane crashed near New Orleans’ Lakefront Airport. The pilot, Franklin J.P. Augustus, also died in the crash. The news station said Parker was shooting a story in a stunt plane at the time of the crash.
Parker had been working at the news station for 23 years and was beloved by her coworkers and family. She leaves behind her husband, Glynn “Glen” Boyd, and their three children: Parker, Piper, and Pierce.
In a Facebook post, her long-time employer, FOX 8, remembered their anchor, writing:
“Today we mourn the loss of our longtime colleague and friend Nancy Parker. Details have not been released by authorities, but we can confirm she passed away in [a] plane crash while covering a story at the New Orleans Lakefront Airport.
Nancy was a part of the FOX 8 family for the last 23 years. She put her heart and soul into her work, covering thousands of stories and touching countless lives. She made a difference in the lives of those she reported on. She will be sorely missed, and her absence creates a void that cannot be filled.”
The FOX 8 Vice President and General Manager, Tim Ingram, also released a statement, adding, “Nancy was absolutely a joy to work with each and every day. Today we lost a wonderful journalist and remarkable friend, the New Orleans television community lost a true treasure, but beyond that, her family lost a wife, a mother and daughter. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.”
But what exactly caused this accident and the loss of Parker and Augustus?
According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) statement, the plane crashed into an empty field, a half-mile from the airport, from “unknown circumstances.” The plane crashed around 3 PM and caused a fire. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating.
Her death is a true tragedy — not just for her coworkers, but for Boyd. He shared a touching Facebook post to his late wife, saying his “heart is shattered.”
Parker’s husband, children, coworkers, and the community she served will never forget the legacy she leaves.
Samantha Maffucci is an editor for YourTango who focuses on writing trending news and entertainment pieces. In her free time, you can find her obsessing about cats, wine, and all things Vanderpump Rules.