Cause of death of KTLA reporter Sam Rubin announced

Published: 7:10 p.m. PDT, July 9, 2024

Sam Rubin’s cause of death was announced almost two months after his death. died unexpectedly.

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office released a report on the death of the longtime KTLA entertainment journalist, who died on May 10 at the age of 64. According to the report, Rubin died of ischemic heart disease and atherosclerotic coronary artery disease – both diseases that affect the heart.

“Ischemia is a condition in which blood flow (and therefore oxygen) is restricted or reduced to a part of the body. Cardiac ischemia is a reduction in blood flow and oxygen to the heart muscle,” says the American Heart Association. conditionsAtherosclerotic coronary heart disease – also called arteriosclerosis – is the hardening of arteries due to plaque formation.

The report also says Rubin, a 30-year KTLA veteran and staple on the station’s popular morning show, died in the hospital. Initial reports indicated Rubin suffered cardiac arrest at home and was taken to UCLA West Hills, where he was pronounced dead.

At the time of his death, KTLA anchor Frank Buckley confirmed the tragic death of one of their members with an emotional on-air tribute at the beginning of the afternoon broadcast.

“The Sam you saw on TV is the Sam that wasn’t on TV,” Buckley said live, fighting back tears. “All of us he spent his mornings with on TV and all of us he worked with behind the scenes at KTLA will not forget him.”

The station released a statement on its social media pages following the broadcast, saying: “It is with deep sadness that KTLA 5 announces the passing of Sam Rubin. Sam was a giant in the local news and entertainment world and a fixture on Los Angeles morning television for decades.”

The tribute continues: “His laugh, charm and caring personality touched all who knew him. Sam was a loving husband and father: the roles he cherished most. Our thoughts are with Sam’s family at this difficult time.”

Immediately afterwards, Rubin was the recipient of countless social media posts, including from celebrities such as Tom Hanks, Ryan Reynolds, Ben Stiller, Henry Winkler, Octavia Spencer, Mark Hamill and many more.

“Even though it was my 85th interview that day, I was always happy to see Sam. Even though it was HE’s 85th interview that day, he was always genuinely friendly, curious, and asked outside-the-box questions,” Reynolds said. wrote in a tweet on X.

“I know two things – he always made you feel special, and I’m not the only person who felt that warmth every time they sat down at your desk,” Winkler said.

Hanks also responded with an Instagram message that read: “Sam Rubin, we will miss you. Good guy that Sam. Hanx.”

A few days after his death, Rubin’s son Colby Rubin appeared on the radio to remember his father with a touching tribute, calling him his “hero.”

“Hi, Dad,” began Colby, who was sitting in his father’s anchor chair and fighting back tears the whole time. “I wrote this under the desk in the booth where you always caught me sleeping, only this time you weren’t there to wake me up. Dad, I can’t believe you’re gone.”

Colby shared emotional stories about his father picking him up from school, taking him to Boy Scouts and Disneyland, and teaching him lessons about chasing his dreams and living life to the fullest.

He continued, “You will not be at my wedding. I can’t believe you’re gone. I love you so much.”

Rubin leaves behind his wife Leslie and four children.

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