http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/12/06/MURPHY.TMP
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LAFAYETTE
Smoke inhalation killed ex-newscaster
CPR efforts failed -- cause of fire still undetermined
Jason B. Johnson, Chronicle Staff Writer
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Tuesday, December 6, 2005
Television news anchorman Doug Murphy died of smoke inhalation, authorities said Monday, but investigators have not determined what caused the fire that killed the 55-year-old journalist in his Lafayette home Sunday night.
Murphy, an award-winning reporter and anchorman at CBS 5-TV, was alone when the fire started in his home on South Peardale Drive, Contra Costa County sheriff and fire officials said. A neighbor saw smoke coming from the home at 7:30 p.m., and several people banged on windows and broke down the front door in an effort to rescue him but could not endure the flames and smoke.
Firefighters pulled Murphy from his living room, then administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation for 20 minutes but could not revive him, said sheriff spokesman Jimmy Lee.
"He did die as a result of smoke inhalation," said Fire Marshal Richard Carpenter. "There was a wheelchair found in the room, and he was found on the floor. There was evidence that there was a fire (burning) in the fireplace at the time of the fire, and it was a cold night."
Murphy, who'd been with KPIX since 1982, was passionate about his job and loved to kick back at his local watering hole after work to have a drink and sing karaoke, friends said.
But the station confirmed Monday that Murphy had left the job in mid-September after going on medical leave in April for undisclosed reasons. Station officials would not elaborate.
"At the time of his death, he was not an employee of CBS-5 -- he was a former employee," said station spokeswoman Akilah Monifa.
The station announced his death during its 11 p.m. broadcast Sunday. Murphy did sports and weather at CBS-5, and most recently he was weekend anchor. Only anchor Barbara Rodgers had been with the station longer.
"It's a great loss for the station," said Monifa. "You don't work for someone for that long and not have them become part of the family."
Murphy won an Emmy for Bay to Breakers coverage and several awards from the Associated Press and other news organizations. He began his career at WOSU radio at Ohio State University doing color commentary for games.
Co-workers said that Murphy had known he wanted to become a broadcaster since the age of 5 and that four of his uncles were sportscasters. He received his bachelor's degree in 1975 from Ohio State.
"Doug lived life large -- he had an intensity while he was at work," said reporter Kate Kelly, a colleague of 20 years. "It was something he always wanted to do from when he was a little boy."
Kelly said Murphy had suffered lung problems in recent months.
"He had pneumonia a couple of times and was struggling with it," she said.
At Murphy's home Monday, some neighbors said they hadn't seen the newscaster much recently and speculated it was because of his poor health.
Real estate inspector Paul Breitkopf was working in the neighborhood Monday and passed by to pay his respects. Murphy came to Breitkopf's Alameda home 10 years ago to report on a Pacific Gas and Electric Co. malfunction that shut off gas to area homes.
"I come out of my front door, and there he was with his microphone in hand walking up my front steps," recalled Breitkopf. "He was a really nice guy, very genuine."
At the Roundup Saloon in Lafayette, folks recalled Murphy as a regular who would come in after work to have a drink and often sang karaoke on Saturday nights.
"He had a great voice," said David Hoydal of Moraga. "He could do Frank Sinatra like nobody's business."
Hoydal, who knew Murphy for seven years, said the newsman had a sense of humor with a sarcastic edge. But in recent years he'd gone through a rough divorce and most recently, ill health.
"You could see that he wasn't feeling well," said Hoydal.
Bar owner Karen Johnson said, "He used to come in on Saturday nights after he did the news. Once on his birthday when he was singing karaoke, a camera (crew) sneaked in and taped him singing. They showed it on the news."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LAFAYETTE
Smoke inhalation killed ex-newscaster
CPR efforts failed -- cause of fire still undetermined
Jason B. Johnson, Chronicle Staff Writer
----------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, December 6, 2005
Television news anchorman Doug Murphy died of smoke inhalation, authorities said Monday, but investigators have not determined what caused the fire that killed the 55-year-old journalist in his Lafayette home Sunday night.
Murphy, an award-winning reporter and anchorman at CBS 5-TV, was alone when the fire started in his home on South Peardale Drive, Contra Costa County sheriff and fire officials said. A neighbor saw smoke coming from the home at 7:30 p.m., and several people banged on windows and broke down the front door in an effort to rescue him but could not endure the flames and smoke.
Firefighters pulled Murphy from his living room, then administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation for 20 minutes but could not revive him, said sheriff spokesman Jimmy Lee.
"He did die as a result of smoke inhalation," said Fire Marshal Richard Carpenter. "There was a wheelchair found in the room, and he was found on the floor. There was evidence that there was a fire (burning) in the fireplace at the time of the fire, and it was a cold night."
Murphy, who'd been with KPIX since 1982, was passionate about his job and loved to kick back at his local watering hole after work to have a drink and sing karaoke, friends said.
But the station confirmed Monday that Murphy had left the job in mid-September after going on medical leave in April for undisclosed reasons. Station officials would not elaborate.
"At the time of his death, he was not an employee of CBS-5 -- he was a former employee," said station spokeswoman Akilah Monifa.
The station announced his death during its 11 p.m. broadcast Sunday. Murphy did sports and weather at CBS-5, and most recently he was weekend anchor. Only anchor Barbara Rodgers had been with the station longer.
"It's a great loss for the station," said Monifa. "You don't work for someone for that long and not have them become part of the family."
Murphy won an Emmy for Bay to Breakers coverage and several awards from the Associated Press and other news organizations. He began his career at WOSU radio at Ohio State University doing color commentary for games.
Co-workers said that Murphy had known he wanted to become a broadcaster since the age of 5 and that four of his uncles were sportscasters. He received his bachelor's degree in 1975 from Ohio State.
"Doug lived life large -- he had an intensity while he was at work," said reporter Kate Kelly, a colleague of 20 years. "It was something he always wanted to do from when he was a little boy."
Kelly said Murphy had suffered lung problems in recent months.
"He had pneumonia a couple of times and was struggling with it," she said.
At Murphy's home Monday, some neighbors said they hadn't seen the newscaster much recently and speculated it was because of his poor health.
Real estate inspector Paul Breitkopf was working in the neighborhood Monday and passed by to pay his respects. Murphy came to Breitkopf's Alameda home 10 years ago to report on a Pacific Gas and Electric Co. malfunction that shut off gas to area homes.
"I come out of my front door, and there he was with his microphone in hand walking up my front steps," recalled Breitkopf. "He was a really nice guy, very genuine."
At the Roundup Saloon in Lafayette, folks recalled Murphy as a regular who would come in after work to have a drink and often sang karaoke on Saturday nights.
"He had a great voice," said David Hoydal of Moraga. "He could do Frank Sinatra like nobody's business."
Hoydal, who knew Murphy for seven years, said the newsman had a sense of humor with a sarcastic edge. But in recent years he'd gone through a rough divorce and most recently, ill health.
"You could see that he wasn't feeling well," said Hoydal.
Bar owner Karen Johnson said, "He used to come in on Saturday nights after he did the news. Once on his birthday when he was singing karaoke, a camera (crew) sneaked in and taped him singing. They showed it on the news."
