A TV Michigan meteorologist and mom-of-two has committed suicide one month after telling her fans she was struggling to recover from laser eye surgery that she had so she could stop using contact lenses.
35-year-old Jessica Starr worked for WJBK Fox 2 since 2011. Her colleagues cried on Thursday morning as they announced her death on air.
Starr, who had two young children, leaves them behind along with her husband of 8 years, Daniel.
In a statement issued on its website, Fox 2 wrote: “Last night we were informed of the heartbreaking news that our friend and colleague, meteorologist Jessica Starr took her life.
“All of us here at FOX 2 are in deep shock and cannot believe that such a wonderful, bright and intelligent individual will no longer be with us.
“Her family and friends will be in our thoughts and prayers in the coming days as we all deal with our grief.”
Starr mentioned she had been facing ‘challenging times’ since she had Lasik SMILE eye surgery. The procedure, which was approved in 2016 by the FDA, is carried out by doctors across the country.
The surgery involves the surgeon using a femtosecond laser to make a small piece of tissue within the cornea. Using the same layer, the surgeon will make an arc-shaped incision on the surface of the cornea to extract the tissue through and remove it.
This procedure changes the shape of the cornea, correcting nearsightedness. Patients’ incision usually heals within a few days and their vision becomes improved.
But it is not clear where Starr had her procedure. Starr took four weeks off and had the surgery in October. She came back to work for one day in November. However, it was too much of a struggle for her.
On the day returned to work, she shared a video on her Facebook page and said: “I am struggling a little bit so I need all the prayers and well wishes. This is a hard go.
“If you have any tips I’d appreciate it, I’m trying to stay strong and get through this recovery. Thanks again for all the wishes, I’m excited to be back I just want to get my vision back so I can keep you guys smiling.”
Before working for Fox 2, Starr also worked for WLNS, WKAG 3, and Fox 45.
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