Boyfriend of slain Virginia reporter Alison Parker shares heartbreaking message: “We were very much in love”

Chris Hurst, an anchor at WDBJ Channel 7 in Virginia, has penned a loving remembrance of both victims of today’s on-air shooting.

Hurst laments the loss of both co-workers, but his message is especially heartbreaking in light of the revelation that Hurst and Alison Parker, the reporter who was conducting the interview during the shooting, were “very much in love.” Their relationship was not a secret–the pair had been dating for nine months–but the first thing Hurst reveals in his note is that neither he nor Alison discussed their love publicly.

Hurst also laments the loss of cameraman Adam Ward, who worked closely with Alison “every day” and who left behind a fiancée.

Here is Chris Hurst’s complete message:

 

We didn’t share this publicly, but Alison Parker and I were very much in love. We just moved in together. I am numb. We were together almost nine months. It was the best nine months of our lives. We wanted to get married. We just celebrated her 24th birthday. She was the most radiant woman I ever met. And for some reason she loved me back. She loved her family, her parents and her brother. I am comforted by everyone at WDBJ7. We are a family. She worked with Adam every day. They were a team. I am heartbroken for his fiancee. She is our morning show producer. This is unconscionable. But I WILL share her story because it is one full of life, dreams, love and amazing journalism. She just finished working on an incredible special on child abuse and it was fantastic. We will get through this and there will be justice. Your thoughts and prayers mean the world to me.

 

Both Christ Hurst’s and the station’s Facebook pages have been flooded with prayers and well-wishes since news of the shootings broke. You can add your own thoughts by visiting:

Chris Hurst’s Facebook Page
WDBJ7 on Facebook

 

(Photo credits: Chris Hurst, Alison Parker via Facebook)