Former Fox News producer Jennifer Eckhart dies by suicide in Martin County
Jennifer Eckhart, a former Fox News producer, was found dead in her Hobe Sound home Saturday morning, with the sheriff confirming her death as a suicide.
HOBE SOUND, Fla. —
Jennifer Eckhart, a popular podcaster and former associate producer at Fox Business, died by suicide at her home in Hobe Sound on Saturday morning, according to the Martin County sheriff.
Sheriff John Budensiek said he usually doesn’t comment on suicides but decided to speak publicly about Eckhart’s death to address conspiracy theories suggesting she had been murdered.
“Looking at the scene and going through the investigation, we spent a lot of time. We investigated it as if it was a homicide. But it is not. It’s a suicide. Unfortunately, she took her life at her own hands,” Budensiek said.
Getty ImagesUdo Salters
Jennifer Eckhart, a former Fox News producer, was found dead in her Hobe Sound home Saturday morning, with the sheriff confirming her death as a suicide.
Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25
Eckhart gained notoriety after accusing a Fox News anchor of raping her.
Investigators said she had family and friends who tried to help her, but she had been in and out of mental health facilities and had stopped taking her medications.
If you’d like to talk to someone at 211 Helpline of Palm Beach and Treasure Coast, you can dial 211. If you’d like to text the helpline, you can message your ZIP code to 898211.
Elizabeth Burrows, director of development and communications with 211 Palm Beach and Treasure Coast, emphasized the tragedy of suicide and encouraged those struggling to seek help.
“Every death by suicide is a tragedy,” Burrows said.
She noted that anyone in crisis can call 211 or 988, which are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to provide resources or someone to talk to.
“You’d be surprised at how often just having someone who’s there to listen can help someone make it through their darkest moments,” Burrows said.
Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.
Burrows also stressed the importance of being present and asking questions when supporting someone who may be struggling.
“It’s OK to ask. Asking about it does not make suicide more of a risk for them. If anything, it lets that person know that they are not alone,” she said. “The one answer I can always give is to never give up. As long as someone is still here, there is still an opportunity to support and assist them.”
The sheriff said Eckhart’s death remains an open investigation as they await toxicology results, but he emphasized that all evidence points to suicide.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available by dialing 211 or 988 for confidential support and resources.
If you or someone you know needs help, you can talk with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or sending a text message to 988, or you can chat online here.