I didn't even know she had been involved in the accident that led up to her death. So sad, such a beautiful girl, and seemed to be much more than just a "talking head", so to speak (she had so much potential). I hope that doesn't sound bad the way that I phrased that. Anyway, here's the story.
NBC 4 Remembers Lauren Crowner
Reporter Was 25
UPDATED: 11:07 pm EDT August 23, 2006
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We are saddened to report that our NBC 4 family has lost a valuable member of its team.
Reporter Lauren Crowner died this week at Mount Carmel West Hospital in Columbus.
Crowner, who turned 25 on Tuesday, reported and substituted as an anchor at NBC 4 from January 2006 until her passing.
"From day one, Lauren's spirit, enthusiasm and intelligence permeated the station," said Craig Robinson, NBC 4 President and General Manager. "She quickly became one of the best-loved members of our team, and we are immeasurably diminished by her passing. Our prayers are with her family and friends, whose loss we can't begin to imagine."
In her station biography, Crowner said she really couldn't imagine doing anything other than being in the news business. "It may sound cliché, but my parents and I always knew I'd end up in journalism," she said. "I talked too much as a kid not to."
"Lauren was a true treasure," said NBC 4 News Director Stan Sanders. "She loved life and helping her co-workers, friends and young people. Her passion for journalism was pure and she always strived to do her best, each and every day. Her spirit and positive approach to everything was inspiring; she will be missed by all."
Prior to joining WCMH, Crowner worked at WFLI-TV in Lafayette, Ind., where she anchored weekend newscasts. She also previously interned at Indianapolis television station WTHR.
In Lafayette, Crowner was awarded honorable mention for the best news story at the 2004 IBA Spectrum Awards.
When she joined NBC 4, Lauren said her most memorable moment on the job was meeting the many survivors of Hurricane Katrina who were displaced from their homes and reporting their stories of survival. "It put everything in perspective as both a journalist and a person," she said.
Besides her television accomplishments, Crowner was known across the state for being named the Indianapolis 500 queen in 2002.
Crowner graduated from Indiana University, where she received her journalism degree and minored in Spanish, and was a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
She is survived by her mother Kathryn Crowner-Coleman, her father Lionel R. Crowner, her stepfather Larry Coleman, her sister Evher, a niece and nephew and her prized dog, Angel.
Public condolences to the Crowner family may be sent by clicking here. Private condolences to the family may be e-mailed to CrownerCondolences@nbc4i.com.