NBC Reporter Katherine Creag's Death Linked to a "Sudden Cardiopulmonary Condition"

Viewers of NBC News 4 received tragic news on Thursday, Feb. 11: Veteran reporter Katherine Creag, who had been with the network since 2011, had died the night prior. Katherine was 47.

Given the suddenness of the reporter’s passing, many are looking for additional information surrounding the cause of her death. Here’s what we know.

Initially, no official cause of death was reported. The network referred to Katherine's passing as “unexpected,” saying in an official statement that “she had not been ill and was working as recently as Wednesday morning” in an official statement. It appears as though she had also posted a video to her private Instagram profile as recently as Wednesday.

Naturally, these details have led viewers and fans of the reporter to have even more questions regarding what led to Katherine's death. A few days following the announcement of her passing, the public finally received additional information. According to an obituary that was posted online, Katherine's death was caused by a "sudden cardiopulmonary condition."

Katherine's many, many fans are offering their support and well-wishes for her family, friends, and co-workers during this difficult time.

Katherine had been married to her husband, Bill Gafner, for 14 years. Together, they had three children: two daughters named Gemma and Josephine, and a son named Jackson. The family resides in Manhattan. 

In lieu of flowers, Katherine's family asks people to consider making donations in Katherine's name to Saint Ignatius Loyola Church (where Katherine and Bill were married in 2006), American Cancer Society (an organization which Katherine emceed several events for), Memorial Sloan Kettering (where people close to her were treated), and the American Heart Association.

Katherine's funeral will be livestreamed on YouTube on Thursday, Feb. 18 at 10 a.m. EST.

Katherine’s work family is also mourning the loss of a central figure on their team. “For 10 years Kat was one of our cornerstones, always willing to help in any situation, whether it was a colleague in need or a shift that needed to be covered,” WNCB President Amy Morris said. “She was thoughtful, funny, and relentless. And even on the toughest days, she was a bright light, quick with a kind word and a smile.”

Former WTVH producer Ryan Fisher also shared a touching tribute on Facebook, writing, “Katherine Creag was just the best. Like just the best. We shared our professional lives for about six years on the absolutely grueling overnight shift across two NYC stations, yet there was never ever a day... like never... where she wasn’t chipper at 2:30 a.m. and raring to go. [...] You better damn believe I’ll be having a drink for you today, Kat. The overnight shift will never, ever be the same without you, anywhere.”

Katherine graduated from New York University in 1996 and started her career at NY1. She worked for several other stations including WNYW / Fox 5, KDFW Fox 4, and WSOC before joining NBC New York in 2011. She was no stranger to working odd hours that often come with news broadcasting jobs. She even joked about it in her Twitter bio, which reads, “Sleep, what's that?! I go to work when you're coming home from the club.”

Her hard work and dedication absolutely paid off. She received an Emmy award for an interview she conducted with John F. Kennedy Jr., as well as several Edward R. Murrow and Associated Press awards throughout her career in journalism. 

Our thoughts are with Katherine’s friends and family during this difficult time.