Grieving daughter of beloved Pennsylvania news anchor Emily Matson pays tribute to her late mother a

The daughter of celebrated Pennsylvania news anchor Emily Matson has paid loving tribute to her late mother after her sudden death, which has been ruled a suicide.

Emily Onderko shared an image on Facebook with Matson on Tuesday, writing: ‘The most beautiful person I know, inside and out.’

The Erie News Now anchor is also survived by her police officer husband Ryan Onderko and their son Kyle. The couple also shared a late daughter named Kayla.

Matson, 42, was struck by a train on Monday, in Fairview, according to the Erie County Coroner’s Office, which ruled the death a suicide. 

Erie County Coroner Lyell Cook said on Tuesday the evidence pointing to suicide was ‘unquestionable.’

Emily Onderko shared an image with bher late mother Emily Matson, writing: ‘The most beautiful person I know, inside and out.’

The Erie News Now anchor, seen with daughter Emily, is also survived by her police officer husband Ryan Onderko and their son Kyle

Emily Matson, 42, committed suicide when she jumped in front of a train, according to the coroner’s office

She was last on air Friday before the station announced her shocking passing on Monday.

‘It is with a very heavy heart that we have learned of the passing of our beloved Erie News Now news anchor Emily Matson,’ said Scott MacDowell, the station’s news director.

‘Emily was a shining light in our newsroom, delivering news with a passion and love she had for the Erie community and Northwest Pennsylvania. 

‘We loved Emily dearly and our hearts go out to the Matson family and her husband Ryan at this time.’

Glowing tributes for the popular news anchor have poured in since her death, with many colleagues saying they are devastated by the news. 

‘Emily was such a presence in the newsroom and in the studio, and I can’t count the number of times that I would stop by her desk to talk to her or just listen to her talk to others,’ wrote meteorologist Sara Tonks.

Matson had been at the news station for almost 20 years

‘She always had a way of drawing people in and making them feel welcome, and when I first started at ENN she made sure I was included in the Secret Santa gift exchange and got me a sign that says ‘Let it Snow… Somewhere Else – Erie, PA.

‘She made me, a stranger and a baby in the industry feel included and was always there with advice or ideas if I needed them.’

Matson had worked for Erie News Now for 19 years before she died. She most recently served as the anchor of the weekday 7pm and 11pm newscasts.

Katie McGraw, another former colleague, said her death was an ‘incredible loss.’

‘I am heartbroken and truly gutted to share the news of my friend and former coworker’s passing,’ she wrote.

‘Emily and I worked together in Erie, PA for a few years.

‘She and my fiancé had the most lovely friendship. I have so many wonderful memories with her. She was hilarious, witty, kind, fiery, talented, fabulous and fun. She is already so missed.’

John Stehlin, who worked with her, had shared a Facebook post of the two eating brownies on Friday before she died. 

‘It’s National Brownie Day! Look what my favorite coworker at 7 o’clock brought! She’s so kind! But she forgot the milk,’ he wrote. 

John Stehlin (left) on Friday shared a photo of himself with Matson eating brownies in the studio

Tributes for the local journalist immediatly began pouring in as news of her death broke

Many fans have left messages of sympathy beneath the photo. 

‘I am so sad to hear about Emily,’ wrote one. ‘I so enjoyed how fun you both made the 7 o’clock news. Light and healing to all at Erie News Now.’

One person added: ‘John, I am truly sorry for your loss. Seven o’clock news will never be the same. I am so devastated, I felt like I knew her. I had the pleasure of meeting her once. Again my heart hurts for you.’ 

Another said: ‘Sometimes you will never truly know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.’

‘Thinking of you and all those that loved Emily during this devastating and difficult time.’

Matson was remembered by one longtime colleague as being ‘very, very upbeat.’

‘She was a very positive person. She was always encouraging the new people. She always had a joke for everyone,’ said Paul Wagner, who worked for Erie News Now for Matson’s entire duration with the company.

The seemingly cheerful anchor’s colleagues were shocked and devastated by the news of her sudden passing

She was remembered by a colleague as being ‘very, very upbeat’ and ‘a positive person’

During Matson’s time covering crime in Erie Pennsylvania, she developed sources in local law enforcement and a deep relationship with the police department.

One such relationship was with police chief Dan Spizarny who had only positive things to say about the late reporter.

‘She never had a bad day. No matter how bad the news was that day, she always left making you feel good. You would never see her in a bad mood,’ he said.

She went on marry Officer Ryan Onderko.

According to a local funeral announcement Matson’s Funeral Mass will take place on Saturday at 10am at the St. Jude R.C. Church. Visitation will be the day before at the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc.

If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide or are struggling with your mental health, call 988 for the suicide and crisis hotline.  

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