Missing Persons

Family releases statement on death of NBC 5 employee Kevin Spencer

The 34-year-old from Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood worked in the IT department and was last heard from on Friday, Jan. 24

NBC Universal, Inc.

Family and colleagues share information amid the search for missing NBC 5 employee Kevin Spencer. NBC 5’s Courtney Sisk has the latest on the investigation.

Update: We're remembering our colleague, Kevin Spencer, who died Sunday by apparent suicide. His family issued the following statement and has asked for privacy at this time.

"Thank you all for your help and concern in trying to find Kevin. It is with a heavy heart that I share that he is no longer with us. While we don’t have all the answers, we ask for privacy and respect as we process this devastating loss. Please keep his loved ones in your thoughts during this difficult time."

"We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our beloved colleague, Kevin Spencer," said Kevin Cross, president and general manager of NBCUniversal Local Chicago. "Kevin was a respected and dedicated teammate who made sure he was always there to help us 24/7 with his signature calm, kind approach. We will miss him more than words can express. Kevin’s family has asked for privacy and respect at this time as they process this devastating loss. On behalf of everyone at NBCUniversal Local Chicago, we send out our deepest sympathies to Kevin’s family, friends and colleagues. He will always have a special place in our hearts."

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.

Original reporting continues below.

NBC Chicago employee Kevin Spencer has been reported missing after he didn't arrive for work this week and his family said they have been unable to reach him.

The 34-year-old from Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood works in the IT department and was last heard from on Friday, Jan. 24, according to police.

He was seen leaving NBC Tower that day just before 6 p.m. Cameras showed him exiting NBC Tower via the North Columbus Drive entrance, then walking south on Columbus Drive and crossing the Columbus Bridge.

Spencer did not report to work this week, which concerned his colleagues and family members said was uncharacteristic.

"I believe they said that he didn't even call in for work and to let them know that he was not going to be there. And that's just not like my brother whatsoever," his sister Jennifer Brinkley said. "My brother would have definitely let the company know if he was sick or if he was unable to attend."

It was that out-of-character behavior that his NBC 5 colleagues first questioned.

"I think some of the folks that work with him on a regular basis, they knew something was wrong early in the day," said Kevin Cross, president and GM for NBCU Local Chicago. "You know, Kevin's the type of person who's very diligent, very good with attention to detail. And if he's ever late by a couple of minutes to come into work, he'll call his manager and say, 'Hey, I'm running two or three minutes behind.' And so one, he didn't do that. And then two, he was not here. And I think good on his managers to say that, 'Something's not right. This is out of character for Kevin.'"

Brinkley told NBC Chicago the last time she spoke with Spencer was Monday, Jan. 20. Before that, his aunt had spoken with him on Jan. 18.

"We talked for about an hour on the phone and the conversation went real well... We basically just talked about my laptop, getting photos off of that, but we just talked about day-to-day life and, you know, about how he's pursuing school constantly. And it was just normal conversation about Kevin continuously pursuing his career," Brinkley said.

But then she received a call that Spencer did not show up for work on Monday. Brinkley added that his electric scooter, which he used to get around Chicago, was also still at his home.

She tried to reach her older brother, but "his phone goes straight to voicemail."

"I've tried Facebook messenger. I tried a lot of things. I've reached out to the police department. And so I'm just really figuring out what my next steps need to be to keep this process going because something is definitely wrong," she said.

A missing persons report has been filed.

Spencer, who lives in the 400 block of West Oakdale Avenue in Lakeview, usually uses an electric scooter or train as his mode of transportation, but his building's managers said the scooter was still at the building as of Tuesday. Spencer's work phone was also left at NBC Tower.

"We cover these stories all the time ... this one hits a little closer to home," Cross said, acknowledging a feeling of "helplessness."

Spencer is described as being 5 feet, 11 inches tall, with blue eyes and brown hair. He has a "carpe diem" tattoo on his neck.

His sister described him as "very kind."

"He's one-of-a-kind, and he'll definitely leave that impression on you," Brinkley said.

Spencer spent his days helping his colleagues with tech issues.

"He did a really good job of always helping us. He's helped me a million times. And I think we want to return the favor and anything we can do to help him," Cross said.

Anyone with information about Spencer or his whereabouts are asked to contact CPD Area 3 Special Victims Unit, at (312) 744-8266.

"I think the best thing we can do is share the facts to the world that we’re looking for Kevin and we care about him," Cross said. "And I know our audience will do everything in their power just like we are to make sure he’s safe.”

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

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