Death of longtime Seattle newsman stuns media community

Members of Seattle’s close-knit media community are
grieving the loss of one of their own, beloved former KOMO
TV and radio journalist Eric Slocum.

Slocum won accolades from colleagues and viewers alike for
his heartfelt storytelling both as an anchor and reporter.

“He knew how to connect his heart to a story and the
viewer or listener without compromising his exceptional
journalistic skills and standards,” says 97.3 KIRO FM’s
Lisa Brooks, who co-anchored the afternoon news
on KOMO Radio.

The 54-year-old was actually named Dan Slocum, but changed
it to Eric because KOMO TV already had Dan Lewis as an
anchor and wanted to avoid potential confusion. He was a
prolific writer and poet, leaving
broadcasting in 2008 and focusing on writing his memoirs.

He was open about his struggles with alcoholism and
depression and wrote often about his pain.

“People don’t like to talk about it,” he wrote in a recent
Facebook post. “But we, as a culture, MUST deal with
mental illness. I will fight like a bear to get a message
of NO (STIGMA) out there for those who suffer chronic
depression.”

His death was ruled a suicide.

Slocum had recently sold his book of poetry to a
publisher and planned to release his book later this year,
according to Brooks.

Dozens of friends and colleagues, many of them from the
local journalism business, have posted tributes and
condolences on Slocum’s Facebook page underscoring
his
kindness, humor, and intellect.

Slocum left a final poem on his
blog the day he died:

“I’ve been to Herald Square
and Jerusalem -The River Jordan –
Sea of Galilee –
Golgatha.

I’ve walked on Penny Lane.

I touched the Hollywood Sign.

so many other journeys.
-But now it’s time to rest-
-been a busy day-”

“His love and life impacted so many, and we are all
grieving today,” Brooks says.

No memorial plans have been announced.