Marigot, Dominica – December 29, 2023
The Fox News family is grieving the loss of two cherished members, Matt Napolitano and Adam Petlin, who tragically passed away over the Christmas weekend. Matt Napolitano, a 33-year-old Fox News Radio anchor and sports reporter, and Adam Petlin, 58, the director of Chicago Bureau Operations and one of the network’s pioneers, are fondly remembered for their significant contributions to the network.
Napolitano, survived by his husband Ricky Whitcomb, passed away due to complications from a longstanding autoimmune disease. His husband shared the sad news on Christmas Eve, expressing Matt’s love for journalism and dedication to delivering accurate news.
“He loved his job and he loved bringing the news to your radios and televisions. An honest journalist who truly cared about facts,” wrote Whitcomb. Napolitano was known for his versatility, contributing to various roles from anchoring to writing and producing for Fox News audio platforms.
Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott praised Napolitano’s journalistic skills, emphasizing his love for the field that he trained for throughout his life.
In another heartbreaking loss, Adam Petlin, with a tenure spanning 27 years at Fox News, passed away after battling a long illness. Petlin, survived by his wife Lauren, daughter Ava, and son Luca, began his career as one of Fox’s first six field photographers in August 1996. He played a crucial role in covering major events, including the September 11, 2001 attacks and international assignments to places like Antarctica and the South Pole.
“He was an integral part of the field and production team and a gifted still and television photographer,” stated Scott in her memo to Fox News employees. Petlin’s dedication and contributions were recognized by correspondents and anchors who had the privilege of working with him.
