A popular Boston morning show host and wife of a former New York Rangers goaltender abruptly quit her longtime gig without explanation — leaving viewers scratching their heads.
Emmy Award winner Kate Merrill, who spent more than 20 years at CBS affiliate WBZ-TV, hasn’t been on the air for several weeks, according to multiple reports.
Merrill, who’s married to Mike Dunham, has not commented on her departure.
Kate Merrill abruptly left her news anchor job at WBZ-TV in Boston.
Merrill is married to Mike Dunham, a former goaltender for the New York Rangers, New York Islanders and New Jersey
Devils.
Dunham, who also played for the Islanders and Devils during his 20-year NHL career, currently serves as the goalie development coach for the Boston Bruins.
“Kate has decided to move on from WBZ,” the television station told the Boston Globe. “Thanks for the inquiry. We value our loyal viewers.”
There was no reason given for her departure.
The Post has sought comment from Merrill and WBZ-TV.
Merrill began her career at WBZ-TV in 2004 and joined its morning show in 2017.
Before being hired by WBZ-TV, she spent a year as a reporter for New York’s NBC affiliate, WNBC-TV.
Dunham played for the Blueshirts for two seasons starting in 2002.
A native of Carlisle, Mass., Merrill has won several Emmys for her reporting at WBZ-TV.
She has covered high-profile Boston stories such as the 2013 bombing at the Boston Marathon as well as the aftermath of the Red Sox and Patriots winning several World Series and Super Bowl championships, respectively.
In March, Merrill celebrated 20 years at WBZ-TV.
Her fans posted messages of support for Merrill on her public Facebook page, which boasts 12,000 followers.
Merrill spent 20 years at the CBS affiliate.
Merrill left her job without explanation — prompting fans to wonder about her departure on social media.
“I’m hoping you left on your own accord and not CBS going again in a new direction yet again!” one person wrote.
“I think we need to switch networks! I do hope you keep us posted on if you go anywhere else or what you decide to do!”
“If Kate is gone, then I’m officially done with WBZ,” another fan wrote. “A year ago WBZ had the BEST morning team and now … goodbye WBZ.”
Merrill spent a year at New York’s WNBC-TV before she joined WBZ-TV.
Merrill was a reporter and anchor of the station’s morning show.
The station has been hit with several high-profile departures in recent weeks and months.
Liam Martin wrote an essay for Boston Magazine in March, saying that he had to leave his “dream job” as an anchor at WBZ-TV due to struggles with mental health, including obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety and depression.
In September, Zack Green, a meteorologist at the station, left the morning show without explanation.
He then posted on social media that management informed him “the show would be moving in a new direction.”
