NBC Chicago Mourns Loss Of Colleague

Updated at 11:15 a.m. Jan. 29

CHICAGO — Family has released a statement on the death of an NBC 5 employee who was reported missing after he failed to show up for work Monday.

NBC reported that Kevin Spencer, 34, an IT department employee, died Sunday after apparently taking his own life.

In a statement, the family thanked community members for efforts to try to find Kevin. "While we don’t have all the answers, we ask for privacy and respect as we process this devastating loss," the family said, according to NBC.

In a statement, NBCUniversal Local Chicago president Kevin Cross called Spencer "a respected and dedicated teammate," adding, "We will miss him more than words can express ... On behalf of everyone at NBCUniversal Local Chicago, we send out our deepest sympathies to Kevin’s family, friends and colleagues."

A free, 24/7, confidential service can provide people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress or those around them with support, information, and local resources. Call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.

Original story:

An NBC 5 employee is missing after he didn’t show up to work Monday, according to the outlet and police.

Kevin Spencer, 34, is missing from the 400 block of West Oakdale Avenue in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood, police said. He is 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighs 160 pounds, acccording to police, who said he has blue eyes and brown hair.

Spencer has a tattoo on his neck that says “carpe diem,” reported NBC 5, where he works in the IT department.

Spencer was seen Friday leaving NBC Tower, according to the outlet, and his electric scooter — a frequent method of transportation — was found at his home. His sister, Jennifer Brinkley, told NBC 5 his phone goes directly to voicemail.

"You know, Kevin's the type of person who's very diligent, very good with attention to detail,” NBCU Local Chicago President and General Manager Kevin Cross told NBC 5. “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.’ ”

Anyone with information about Spencer is asked to contact police at 312-744-8266 or call 911, authorities said.