CBS News star Elise Finch, a “gifted and consummate professional,” died this weekend suddenly at the age of 51.
Finch’s passing was just days after last appearing on her New York station CBS2.
Finch, whose full name was Elise Dione Finch Henrqiues, had been a meteorologist at the station for the past 16 years. She started as a weekend meteorologist at the station in 2007 but had recently been promoted to deliver the morning news forecast.
She was a “loving and devoted” mother and wife. Finch’s husband, Graig Henriques, is a photojournalist at CBS News New York, the station reported.
Finch’s colleagues mourned her sudden passing in statements on social media —
Elise was fiercely loyal to those she loved, a straight shooter, a consummate professional, and made me laugh until I cried. But above all she was completely devoted to her family, especially her daughter Grace. I love you so much, my friend. Heaven now has an angel like no other pic.twitter.com/tczwxgTXGT
— Jessica Moore (@JessicaMooreTV) July 16, 2023
My heart is broken. Our team will never be the same. No one matched musical wits better. I’ll miss you much. @CBSNewYork pic.twitter.com/Lp2zP60GZu
— Chris Wragge (@ChrisWragge) July 17, 2023
Heartbroken by the loss of our friend, colleague, and role model. https://t.co/ruSzLA61yh
— Ali Bauman (@AliBaumanTV) July 17, 2023
CBS News released the following statement announcing Finch’s passing —
It is with profound sadness that we share news of the passing of our beloved Elise Dione Finch Henriques.
Elise has been a friend and team member at WCBS for 16 years. She first joined the team in 2007 as our weekend meteorologist and was most recently on the morning news with Mary Calvi and Chris Wragge. In September, Elise joined Cindy Hsu on the 9 a.m. newscast.
Elise was a gifted and consummate professional who took great care with her work. She was also a wonderful ambassador in the community, including her hometown of Mount Vernon.
She was our bright light in the morning. We had the great pleasure of working with Elise for 16 years.
Elise was on the air with us just this past Friday. Her death is sudden and unexpected, leaving us all trying to understand how this could happen to our beautiful Elise, who was just 51 years old.
Her dedication to the job was truly evident every day. Every major weather event, Elise reported on – many in the elements.
The multiple award-winner was also so proud to say she was born in Mount Vernon and that she graduated from Mount Vernon High School. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Georgetown University, where she received the prestigious President’s Award. She went on to earn a Master of Science degree in broadcast journalism from Syracuse University.
Elise had a great love for the entertainment industry, most especially, the music world. And she was a self-professed superfan of Janet Jackson. She did wonderful interviews with her favorite singers.
Elise married her true love Graig Henriques, who she met at CBS New York. They married almost 10 years ago in a glorious wedding ceremony at Untermyer Gardens. They have a beautiful daughter named Grace, and we always treasured the stories she would tell us about her wonderful life as a mother.
Truly, every day was a good day when we were with Elise, and we will miss her dearly.
Elise passed away at a local hospital. The cause of death has not been determined.
The Horn editorial team