It was a mournful day from the KTLA Network when they lost one of their best journalists. How much more of how his family felt when they heard the news? Chris Burrous was the lively and reputable anchor of KTLA 5 Morning News. However, a tragic incident happened that led to his death. Let us know more about his life and, what are the concerns which that led to this tragic death.
Full Name | Christopher Rocky Burrous |
Birthdate | January 11, 1975 |
Birthplace | Santa Clara County, California, USA |
Age | 43 years old |
Died | December 27, 2018 |
Place of Death | Glendale, Los Angeles, California |
Cause of Death | Methamphetamine toxicity |
Mother | Not identified |
Father | Not identified |
Spouse | Mai Do – Burrous |
Height | 5 feet 95 inches (1.76 meters) |
Weight | 70 kilograms (154 pounds) |
Career / Profession | Anchor, Journalist |
Net Worth | $500,000 |
Parents of Chris Burrous
Chris Burrous was born on January 11, 1975, in Santa Clara County, California. He was born from loving parents, whom his father was a farmer, and his mother was a NASA Engineer.
There is no other information disclosed by Chris about the identity of his parents.
Married Life of Chris
Chris Burrous was a married man. He met his wife at Bakersfield, California where he was stationed at KGET-TV, and her wife, Mai, was a journalist. The two only dated for a year and decided to marry in October 2003. They were happily married and in love, they had a daughter, Isabella, on July 2009.
Chris loved his family that he never misses a chance to flaunt his love for his daughter and wife on social media. However, rumors were speculating that Chris was bisexual and he had a sexual affair leading to his death.
Also See: Dan Abrams – Biography and Life Story of a News Anchor
Wife of Chris, Mai Do – Burrous
Chris did not marry an ordinary woman, Mai Do – Burrous is also a known media personality. She is also a journalist. They met each other in 1999 in Bakersfield, California. It was the time when Chris Burrous joined the KGET news station, where Mai was also working as a journalist.
Chris Burrous’ Career
We all knew Chris Burrous as one of the most reputable American news anchors. He started his career after receiving his degree in Broadcast Journalism at Chapman University.
Chris took a long journey to get to KTLA in 2011. He spent 14 years as a reporter and news anchor at news stations across the United States.
He was primarily in the Central Valley of California. After his term in serving news stations in South Dakota and the Bay Area, Chris joined KGET. It was in 1999 that he became the morning news anchor of KGET in Bakersfield.
After a few years of being the morning news anchor at KGPE and KMAX, Burrous found a new opportunity. He got a job at the sister station of KTLA, WPIX. It was his first job outside California, and he became an anchor on WPIX New York.
When Chris had her daughter, he left New York City for Los Angeles. The reason for his transfer was for his daughter to have the opportunity to grow up near her grandparents. Chris and his family settled in Porter Ranch.
Career Highlights of Chris Burrous
January 1995 to 1997: News Anchor at KARA-FM, KLIV-AM, and KRTY-FM
January 1996 to 1997: Writer and Associate Producer at NBC 11 KNTV
January 1997 to 1999: Main Anchor at KEVN-TV
January 1999 to 2001: News Anchor, Weather forecaster, and Reporter at KGPE-TV
January 2001 to 2003: News Anchor at KGPE-TV
2008 to 2010: Host and News Anchor at Clear Channel Radio KFBK – KSTE
2005 to 2010: Anchor at KMAX KOVR of CBS Television Studios
June 2010 to April 2011: Morning Anchor at WPIX-TV
March 2011 to December 2018: Weekend Morning Anchor at KTLA
Chris Burrous ‘Sweatergate’ Stunt
The sweatergate controversy of Chris Burrous happened in May 2016. He handed a sweater to Liberté Chan, a meteorologist reporter of KTLA, on-air to cover up her bare shoulders. Liberté was in the middle of her broadcasting segment when an arm appeared on the side of the screen. It was Chris handing out his gray cardigan. She was confused and asked Chris what was going on.
After the episode aired, Chris received emails from fans about her dress. To which he did not bother to respond.
The video went viral on social media and labeled as ‘sweatergate’. Some of Liberté’s fans called out Chris for an apology. However, Liberté Chan assured them that she has no hard feelings over Chris.
Instead, Liberté explained what happened on Twitter. She narrated how she wore a cocktail dress at their morning show. Her original black and white dress was incompatible with the green screen, turning her dress partially transparent. That is why she resorted to a cocktail dress.
She even it on her personal blog. It also revealed that the station received several complains through email regarding her bare shoulders and Chris handing her a sweater as a joke.
As Liberté stated, the management of KTLA did not order to put on the sweater. She only played along with the joke of Chris. It was a spontaneous moment.
If you always watch their morning show, you will know how silly Chris was all the time. There was no controversy at KTLA.
Net Worth and Income of Chris Burrous
Right when he graduated from Chapman University, Chris immediately started his career in Journalism. His first broadcasting experiences were with the networks KCKC-AM and KCXX-FM. He later joined KEVN-TV, after which he decided to transfer to KGPE-TV. When his career was flowing with opportunities, he grabbed the chance to join the KTLA network in 2010. Chris knew how to make use of his growing popularity.
With his journalism career, he made a good fortune out of it. Sources claim that the average salary of a journalist based in Los Angeles is around $64,000. Meanwhile, the salary of a broadcaster is up to $143,000. With his credentials and work experience as a broadcaster for more than a decade, he deserved the net worth of $500,000.
What Chris Looks Like
Chris stands 5 feet and 9 inches tall and weighs 70 kilograms. He works out. Thus, he has a 15-inch biceps and a vital statistic of 43-32-33. With a great physique, his black eye color and hair adds to his charm.
The Death of Chris Burrous
The broadcaster, Chris Burrous was found unconscious at Days Inn Motel in Glendale, California. The officials rushed him into the nearest hospital, yet he was pronounced dead. The anchor of the morning news on KTLA, a father, and a husband died on December 27, 2018.
The statement issued by the police department noted that another individual was with Burrous at the time of his death. His friend made a call to the City’s Fire Department and Police Department to report that Chris Burrous has lost consciousness and was not breathing. At the time of his death, results indicated that Chris possibly suffered from a drug overdose.
On February 22, 2019, the Medical Examiner of LA County revealed the cause and manner of death of Chris Burrous. They found out Chris died from methamphetamine toxicity and other contributing factors of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and hypertension.
Chris left his wife and fellow journalist, Mai Do-Burrous, with whom they had a nine-year-old daughter.
The Support Burrous’ Family Received
After the untimely death of Chris Burrous, it was a devastating time for his wife and daughter. Fortunately, he has supportive friends that made a fundraiser for the family Chris left.
One of the artists who donated was Kunal Nayyar, who plays a role in Big Bang Theory. He made a $5,000 donation to Chris’ family. Aside from the donations from actors, a GoFundMe fundraiser was created. It is to help his family and cover the funeral cost. All donations were given to his family to support their needs during their difficult time.
Facts You Don’t Know about Chris Burrous
- Chris Burrous started his journalism career in Southern California.
- He was associated with different news stations (KFBK-AM, KCKC-AM, WPIX-TV, KEVN-TV, and KGPE-TV).
- His most popular show was PIX Morning News on Channel 11.
- His co-workers know him for his sweet pranks, and he is best known for his prank the ‘sweatergate’.
People May Ask About Chris’ Life
Where did Chris Burrous live?
Chirs Burrous lived in Porter Ranch, an area of San Fernando Valley. However, he wanted to be close to his daughter. Thus, he moved a year after moved to Los Angeles.
Where is Chris Burrous buried?
The longtime news anchor of KTLA Los Angeles, and the former news anchor at KGET Bakersfield, Chris Burrous was laid to rest at Rose Hills Cemetery in Whittier.
Who died from Channel 5 news?`
It was a mournful day for Channel 5, and his family and friends when Chris Burrous was pronounced dead on December 27, 2018. Police reports said that he was found unresponsive in a Motel room.
What is the rumor behind Chris’ death?
The sudden death of Chris made the people and his loved ones in shock. The reason was due to drug overdose. However, methamphetamine is greatly associated with a sex drug. When he was found unconscious in a motel, he was with a male individual. Thus, some are speculating that he is a bisexual.
Was Chris Burrous gay?
There were speculations that Chris Burrous was gay after the investigation of his death. According to the investigative report of the Los Angeles County coroner, Chris took a methamphetamine drug. The report states he inserted the drug into his rectum during sexual intercourse with a man.