Beloved morning news anchor dead at 51 after brave cancer battle
Beloved morning news anchor dead at 51 after brave cancer battle
BELOVED morning news anchor Victor Lopez has sadly died at the age of 51 after a battle with cancer.
The Newswest9s broadcaster was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer in August 2024, but sadly lost his battle after two years.
Beloved West Texas news anchor Victor Lopez has passed away at the age of 51Credit: Facebook / Victor Lopez
The broadcaster bravely battled stage 4 colon cancer for the last two yearsCredit: Facebook / Victor Lopez
In an emotional announcement on Thursday morning, Victor’s fellow colleagues said he had passed away surrounded by his loved ones.
Anchor Crystal Crews broke down in tears as she said: “News West 9 of Sunrise anchor and also our good friend Victor Lopez passed away last night.
“He was dealing with cancer for 2 years and unfortunately lost his battle.
“He joined our News West 9 team, he actually started in master control and worked as a producer and became a reporter in 2007.
News West 9 became Victor’s home for the past 23 yearsCredit: Facebook / Victor Lopez
The journalist was surrounded by his loved ones when he passed awayCredit: Facebook / Victor Lopez
“He was so good, he made his way all the way to his anchor desk in 2011.
“Friends, family, our community members describe him as a strong, passionate and a great leader.
“News West 9 became his home for the past 23 years.
“He loved being a community advocate and spoke out for the little guy and made sure everyone around him felt supported.
“Unfortunately, if you’ve been following his journey back in 2024, Victor was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer.
“He described this journey as a marathon of highs and lows.”
Victor had urged others to not put off screening and to go and get a colonoscopy if they felt like something was wrong.
In July 2025, he rang the bell of remission in a moment of celebration but by September last year, the cancer returned and had become widespread.
NewsWest9 reported that he later underwent surgery to remove half of his liver as he continued treatment after the disease spread to his blood.
Crystal continued: “In the months before his death, despite the surgeries and chemotherapy, Victor still showed up to work bright and early because he wanted to give you all the latest updates, and we know he was in so much pain, but he told us he loved this job and he loved this community and wanted to continue showing up and he kept doing it until he couldn’t any longer.”
“He will forever be missed and always cherished.”
Struggling to speak as she welled up, Crystal added: “It’s just really hard to talk about because a lot of us have worked with him for so long and it’s hard to go to the newsroom and see that he’s not at his desk anymore and greeting us.
“He lived his life to the fullest and was involved in the community and so many organisations.”
Victor spent more than two decades at the Midland-Odessa station and was a big advocate for Midland Community Theatre, where he previously performed after he gained a degree in theatre.
Tributes have poured in for the much-loved journalist including KHOU 11 Houston reporter Anayeli Ruiz, writing: “He was always cheering me on from afar and never hesitated to send an encouraging word.
“Those little messages meant more than he probably ever knew.”
