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The staff at KTVX-Channel 4 is mourning the unexpected death of longtime reporter Marcos Ortiz early Saturday morning. Ortiz was 68.
Anchorman Glen Mills tweeted, “I am stunned by this sudden loss! It’s hard to understand how Marcos was at work as usual one day, and gone the next.”
Former KTVX anchorwoman Kim Fischer tweeted that Ortiz “truly cared about doing what was right. My experiences with Marcos were always filled with kindness, support, and thoughtful advice when I needed it. He will always be a mentor and a friend.”
No cause of death has been announced.
“Words are difficult to find as we learned of the loss of our colleague and friend, Marcos Ortiz,” said Mark Danielson, vice president and general manager of KTVX. “He was an icon in Utah: a journalist, a mentor, a coach, and a friend. He reminded us how to be curious while leading by example. He will be missed by all and remembered always.”
Ortiz had become an easily recognizable member of the Salt Lake City media over the past three decades. In 1992, he started at KUTV-Channel 2 as a general assignment reporter before moving to the crime beat. And he continued to cover local crime after moving to KTVX in 2004.
(KTVX ABC4) Marcos Ortiz was perhaps best known for his Justice Files reports.
Ortiz was best known for his “Justice Files” reports about unsolved crimes.
Born in Lovell, Wyoming, Ortiz was the youngest of 11 children born to immigrant parents. His career in journalism began at a radio station in the small city of Blythe, California, before moving to Green River, Wyoming, to work in print journalism and then Cheyenne, Wyoming, where he landed his first job as a TV reporter. He moved on to Albuquerque before heading for Salt Lake City.
Ortiz is survived by his wife of 34 years, Sandy Olney, and their daughter, Olivia. In his KTVX autobiography he wrote that his interests were “Walking with (his Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) Franklin daily, riding my bike, and working in my backyard.”
According to ABC4, Ortiz was a devout Catholic, and he “leaned on his faith” while covering tough crime stories.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
