Officials announced Thursday that a popular, beloved FOX News meteorologist who took her own life this week apparently hanged herself.
New York Post reports that 35-year-old Jessica Stare, of Novi, Michigan, died via suicide, according to the Oakland County Medical Examiner’s Office. The Wixom Police Department declined to provide additional details surrounding her death at this time, due to an ongoing investigation.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Starr left behind a loving family and shocked colleagues after taking her life on Wednesday. Before her death, Starr had Lasik SMILE eye surgery, and often spoke publicly on how she continuously struggled with dry eyes afterward, which caused her to miss work for weeks at the Detroit FOX station.
Alan Longstreet with the ladies this morning!
Posted by Jessica Starr on Tuesday, August 28, 2018
Starr also asked a Facebook follower for advice, following the eye surgery that left her in excruciating pain, according to New York Daily News.
“I’m dying over here… This recovery is brutal” Starr wrote on Facebook.
Although Starr was open and honest concerning her pain after Lasik surgery, authorities haven’t confirmed a link between her suicide to the surgery. Studies suggest that most people who have laser eye surgery recover, although there is a risk for a small percentage others to develop chronic pain that can lead job loss and isolation.
Starr had the surgery in October and returned to work for one day in November, but she apparently needed more time to recover.
The meteorologist also had issues with hate emails and letters after the birth of her youngest child in 2015. According to the station, Starr addressed the public concerning nasty comments regarding her weight gain during pregnancy.
“We’re in the public eye, and you have to have a thick skin to be in the media. That’s just part of it, and I’m okay with that. You can not like the hair today; we’re used to that. You can not like the makeup, the outfit, that’s fine. Doesn’t bother me….But, I got a hand-written letter saying that it looks like I’m about to deliver an elephant, and, ‘Isn’t it about time you start your [maternity] leave?’ And I just think that’s crossing the line.”
Starr is survived by her husband, Dan; son, Noah; 5, and daughter, Riley, 4. She received meteorology degrees from both Michigan State University and Mississippi State University. It’s unclear if she left behind a note. The manner in which she took her own life is also unclear at this point.
Check back with CrimeOnline as additional updates become available.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for free and confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 800-273-8255, or text 741-741.
[Feature Photo: Jessica Starr/Facebook, Twitter]
