Who Was Deanne Lane? Everything To Know About The Emmy-Winning Journalist's Life, Career, Marriage

Deanne Lane was more than just a reporter; she was a trusted voice of St. Louis television. After serving nearly three decades at KSDK-TV, she became a familiar face and was widely loved for her hands-on approach to reporting. For St. Louis viewers, Dianne Lane was part of their nightly routine, thanks to her witty and graceful presence on KSDK-TV's popular show, Night Beat.

On Friday, January 30, 2026 (ET), Dianne Lane passed away at Mercy Hospital St. Louis in Creve Coeur, at age 65. Remembering the Emmy-winning anchor, Alicia Elsner, the station's General Manager, described her as a "beloved member of our KSDK family who brought truth, compassion, and integrity to every story she told."

Picture: KDSK

The cause of Deanne Lane's death has not been publicly disclosed. As the legendary anchor steps into the afterlife, here's everything you need to know about the woman she was, her career, family life, and the legacy she leaves behind.

A snapshot of Deanne Lane's career in journalism

"You're only as good as your last story." This was the one motto that Dianne lived by, as shared by veteran St. Louis TV anchor John Pertzborn after her death. This description almost perfectly sums up the late journalist's glorious career. After joining KSDK (Channel 5) in 1983, she quickly became known as the station's Night Beat reporter. Viewers adored her for her fearless take on covering breaking news, even when the stakes were highest and the facts were still unfolding.

Born and raised in the US, Deanne Lane graduated from Michigan State University and centred her journalism career mainly in St. Louis, Missouri. In her career spanning over 27 years, Deanne reported on some of the most consequential stories in the last few decades, most notably the Columbine High School shooting in 1999, the Oklahoma City bombing of 1995, the Hurricane Katrina of 2005, the "Missouri Miracle" of 2007, and the Kirkwood City Hall shooting of 2008. Needless to say, she was the reporter, one trusted whenever there was a national tragedy. 

Deanne's local reporting left an equally strong mark. She was known for one of the most memorable series on homelessness. Her dedication to the project was so strong that she even spent five days on the streets to document the issue firsthand and better understand the people she was reporting on. As Sports Director Frank Cusumano said in her tribute:

"Deanne helped to build KSDK. She was the daughter of a legendary broadcaster and she became a legendary broadcaster. She had the right dose of energy, poise and confidence. The bigger the story, the better she was. She was passionate about her work and was really wonderful to be around. I can't ever remember being around her when she wasn't a lot of fun.”

After being the face of KSDK for almost three decades, Deanne left the station in 2009. Long after her final broadcast, however, her work continued to resonate with the audience. In 2017, she was inducted into the St. Louis Media History Foundation Hall of Fame. Her humane reporting style earned her an Emmy Award, and even after leaving the station, she continued to volunteer in social work. For those who are unaware, Deanne volunteered through social activities with the St. Louis Area Food Bank, the Red Cross, St. Louis Effort for AIDS, and the Special Olympics. 

What is known about Deanne Lane's marriage and family

Little information is available about Deanne Lane's personal life. She is survived by her husband, Chris Pappas, and their only child, a son, Griffin Goodrich. While the late reporter kept much of her personal life out of the spotlight, her former colleagues say her family was central to who she was once the camera lights were off. In a statement remembering her life, Elsner said:

“While we are heartbroken by her loss, we celebrate her remarkable 20-plus year career and a life well lived in service to others.”

The last reported public appearance of Deanne Lane was in late January 2026, just days before her passing on January 30. While the exact cause of her death wasn't publicly disclosed, her former colleagues say she had suffered a stroke. For viewers who grew up watching St. Louis news, Deanne Lane was a constant. She brought clarity during confusion and compassion to stories that could easily have become statistics.

Deanne Lane may not be physically with us anymore, but her legacy lives on in the newsroom she helped shape, the communities she served, and the many journalists who followed her path in imbuing journalism with humanity.

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