Jennifer Eckhart, former Fox Business producer, dead at 36. - USA Today
Jennifer Eckhart, a former Fox Business associate producer who later hosted a podcast focused on personal reinvention, has died. She was 36.
Eckhart's mother found her dead in the bathroom of her Hobe Sound, Florida, home Sept. 19 after going to the residence and contacting authorities, according to a Martin County Sheriff's Office incident report obtained by USA TODAY.
A responding deputy said Eckhart was found in the bathtub with "a large laceration to the front of her throat/neck and there was a folding pocketknife next to her right hand."
She was pronounced dead at 11:57 a.m., according to the report. The Sheriff's Office's Criminal Investigations Division and crime scene personnel subsequently responded to the home.
TMZ reported, citing law enforcement sources, that Eckhart's death was ruled a suicide. The incident report identifies the case as a death investigation but does not state a cause or manner of death.
Eckhart worked as an associate producer at Fox Business Network and joined Fox in 2013, according to IMDb. She later became widely known for a lawsuit she filed in 2020 against former Fox News anchor Ed Henry.
In the complaint, Eckhart accused Henry of rape and other sexual misconduct during the years they worked at the network. Henry denied her allegations and maintained that their relationship was consensual.
Fox News fired Henry in July 2020 after the network said it received a complaint about alleged sexual misconduct and commissioned an outside investigation. Eckhart also brought claims against Fox News, accusing the network of failing to protect her and hold Henry accountable according to NPR.
Eckhart claimed that the network "continues to protect and reward perpetrators of sexual harassment and refuses to take accountability for putting such persons in positions of power.” A federal court dismissed those claims, finding that Fox had not known about the alleged conduct.
Following her departure from Fox, Eckhart launched “REINVENTED,” a podcast featuring guests from business, sports and entertainment. The series highlighted people who had navigated setbacks and rebuilt their lives or careers. Its most recent episode was released in March.
If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call 988 any time day or night, or chat online. Crisis Text Line also provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741.
