Newlywed Anchor Remembered As 'A Young, Fun, Vibrant Guy' After Sudden Diabetes Death
Nov. 8 2012, Published 8:30 a.m. ET
By Debbie Emery - Breaking Celebrity News Reporter
The TV world lost a great talent on Tuesday when Emmy-award winning anchorman Joel Connable died from a suspected diabetic seizure at age 39, and friends are now offering their fondest memories of his bright personality and professional skills.
Having married his longtime girlfriend, paralegal Angela Shlyakhov, less than two weeks ago, and starting a job in Seattle at ABC affiliate, KOMO-TV, Joel had a new life ahead of him to look forward to when he was struck down by the Type I diabetes that he had suffered from since age 13.
"I am in shock. I knew Joel from my days living in South Florida. He interviewed me several times on-air for various travel segments when he was an anchor with NBC Miami affiliate WTVJ-TV," friend Stacy Small, founder and president of Elite Travel International told Breaking Celebrity News in an exclusive interview.
"I just 'liked' his Facebook post the other day about his 'anchoring his first newscast' in Seattle!" said his excited former colleague.
"This is so sad to hear about. I am beyond saddened as he was such a young, fun, vibrant guy and I always enjoyed being interviewed on air by him in Miami."
"I remember going there for my first ever 'on air' interview, I was super nervous and his warm personality