A top insider at Fox News and Fox Business died of coronavirus this Sunday, the network announced.

Eric Spinato, 52, was a top talent booker and senior editor at the networks for decades. He joined the network in 1998 and worked at Fox News and Fox Business Network for most of the last two decades. He most recently worked on host Maria Bartiromo’s show.

His brother, Dean, announced the heartbreaking news on social media over the weekend.

“I love you bro. You were my rock. COVID took my brother today. He was a gem and one of a kind. I’m so broken and lost for words. This man was an amazing father, brother and friend. I’m sorry to say this but this day broke me hard. I will make you proud for the rest of my life. RIP Bro. Eric Spinato I fkn love you. Brothers for life. Best man ever. It should have been me, not you. They took the wrong person. Xoxox,” he wrote.

Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott, Fox Business Network President Lauren Petterson, and Fox News President Jay Wallace all shared their condolences in an internal memo to Fox News employees.

“Eric was an immensely gifted and aggressive booker and was renowned for booking the innumerable ‘gets’ we’ve seen on both FNC and FBN over the years,” their memo to staff read, according to Deadline. “He was also always willing to lend a hand to help a colleague, mentor junior staffers or troubleshoot an issue — countless bookers throughout the industry learned the ropes and the tools of the trade from Eric at one point or another in their careers.”

Spinato was “instrumental to the growth and entrepreneurial success” of Fox Business Network in the early years, host David Asman during a tribute on his show.

“Our heartfelt condolences go out to Eric’s entire family,” Asman said.

 

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