Last August 27, 2025, ABC affiliate WAPT 16 in Jackson, Mississippi, announced with deep sadness the passing of its new weekend anchor, Celeste Wilson, who was 42 years old.
The cause was identified as a heart attack.
Originally from New Orleans, Wilson graduated from Northwestern State University in Louisiana, where she began her undergraduate studies. She went on to earn a master’s degree in journalism from the renowned Arizona State University. .
She began her career as a reporter and anchor at a CBS affiliate in Monroe (KNOE, Louisiana). Later, she worked at KARK, an NBC affiliate in Little Rock, Arkansas, where she was from October 2023 to August 2024. .
She was also one of two statewide hosts of a weekly show on PBS.
The impact of Celeste Wilson’s news
Although he had only been with WAPT for a short time, his colleagues were quick to highlight his professionalism, warmth, and dedication to journalism as a public service. In the words of the channel: “Although Celeste had only been with us a short time, we were already touched by her professionalism, warmth and dedication to journalistic work. All of us here at 16 WAPT are heartbroken by this sudden loss.”
The station’s president and general manager, Peter Keith, described it as “an absolute joy to be around” and emphasized its commitment to high standards and its belief that journalism should give a voice to those who are often not heard.
Fellow reporter Megan West shared on Facebook a video of Wilson covering a Girl Scouts of Mississippi event, and evoked her quest to adjust to the new pace of the morning broadcast along with a different environment, far from her home in Louisiana. Touched, she wrote: “It’s a huge shock and we are heartbroken for his family. I treasure the memory of that last sweet conversation.”
Meteorologist Katie Garch expressed that knowing her was a blessing, and that her loss is heartbreaking.
Pastor Lydia Wright, a close friend, highlighted her character of integrity, her commitment to faith, family and her versatility as a driver, mom, advocate and more-always performing all with grace and a smile.
Find out more at ‘QueOnnda.com’.
