KATV’s Anchor Anne Pressly Dies In Hospital After Being Attacked In Her Home (Photos/Video)

Posted on October 26, 2008

KATV’s Arkansas anchorwoman Anne Pressly died on Saturday, after she did not respond to the wake-up call from her mother, and was found severely beaten in her home.

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$KATV\'s Anchorwoman Anne Pressly dies after being attacked$

Anne Pressly, 26, died at St. Vincent Medical Center, a hospital spokeswoman Margaret Preston said.

“It was our hope, as was yours, that Anne would overcome the injuries inflicted upon her in the brutal attack at her home,” the statement read. “We were with her in her last moments, and although our hearts are broken, we are at the same time comforted by our faith knowing that Anne is now with our heavenly father.”

Anne Pressly was found in her home beaten in the head, face and neck area. Pressly was not even able to talk with family or police in the intensive care unit.

Dr. Clifton R. Johnson had stated on Friday that the swellnig in Anne Pressly’s brain had gone down and was encouraged with her improvement. But Pressly took a turn for the worse.

Anne Pressly’s mother found her daughter on Monday morning at her home, after not receiving a response following the wake-up call.

Thus far, police do not have any suspects identified. But they did find out that Anne Pressly’s credit card had been used on Monday at a gas station miles from her home.

Investigators believe at this time that Anne Pressly was the victim of a random attack.

On Saturday, KATV opened its nightly news cast with a seven-minute segment devoted to Pressly. Anchor Pamela Smith told viewers that Pressly’s family agreed to have their daughter be an organ donor. Smith’s voice trembled as she read condolences sent into the station, with her eyes red-rimmed.

“She owned every room she was in, not because she demanded our attention, but because we willingly gave it to her,” Smith said. “We all felt a little better, a little more alive just being near her.

“Life was easy for Anne Pressly. But it is her death that is so very hard for all of us.”

A reward fund KATV set up to help find the killer or killers has reached $30,000, the station reported on its Web site Saturday night.

Our sincere condolences go out to the family and friends of Anne Pressly.

Here’s a video of Anne Pressly’s story: