KOMO news director Holly Gauntt says the station is “incredibly sad” after the death of weekend anchor Joel Connable.

“Honestly, we’re numb,” Gauntt told TVSpy in an email. “Joel hadn’t been here long but he fit in fantastically. He was already bonding with the weekend team.”

Connable died unexpectedly Monday. He joined the Seattle ABC affiliate last week after a three-year break from the television business.

“He was excited about getting back in the business and couldn’t wait to get going. He turned in his first story on a day he was supposed to train,” Gauntt said. “He just wanted to get into the field.” Read more

KOMO weekend anchor Joel Connable died Monday from complications of diabetes. He was 39.

Connable joined the Seattle ABC affiliate last week. The station announced his death on Wednesday evening’s 6 p.m. newscast.

“He suffered from diabetes and we’re told likely died from a seizure,” anchor Dan Lewis said. “Joel had an impressive career in broadcasting at stations all over the country. We regret that our KOMO viewers will not get the chance to get to know Joel Connable.”

Connable was just getting back to the television business after a three-year break. He was fired from WTVJ in Miami in 2009 for allegedly violating the NBC O&O’s policy on accepting free gifts. At the time of his death, Connable had a lawsuit pending against the station. Read more

Joel Connable, former anchor for WTVJ, will be joining Seattle ABC affiliate KOMO as weekend anchor and weekday reporter, according to sfltv.com.

Connable has been out of TV news since being let go by the Miami NBC owned station in  2009 for allegedly violating the company’s policy on free gifts.  Connable filed a lawsuit over the dismissal that is still ongoing.

The former Miami anchor comes to KOMO from Travel TV News, the company he formed after leaving WTVJ.

Last week TVSpy reported former WTVJ investigative reporter Jeff Burnside also landed a job at the Seattle ABC affiliate.