'No one else deserves that': Today anchor Tamron Hall shares her heartbreak over the unsolved murder of her sister in the hopes that the tragedy can help 'save another life'

  • The 45-year-old admitted that she used to be hesitant about speaking of her older sister Renate's death until she realized her story could save a life 
  • Renate, who is the daughter of Tamron's stepdad, was found face down in her pool in Houston, Texas after being bludgeoned to death in 2004
  • Although the murder remains unsolved, police speculated that Renate's death was the result of domestic violence
  • Tamron first spoke publicly of Renate's murder in 2014 as she recalled witnessing her sister be physically assaulted by a male companion 

By Erica Tempesta For Dailymail.com

Published: 11:23 EST, 6 April 2016 | Updated: 16:36 EST, 6 April 2016

For years, Tamron Hall shied away from publicly speaking about the tragedy of her older sister's unsolved murder, but the Today show host has revealed that she ultimately changed her mind when she realized that sharing her personal tragedy could save a life.

The 45-year-old, who became Today's first African-American female co-anchor in 2014, suffered a devastating loss in 2004 after her sister Renate was bludgeoned to death and found face down in a swimming pool in Houston, Texas. 

'No one deserves what happened to my sister,' Tamron told People. 'For a long time I was hesitant about sharing our story. I didn't want to be another well-known person saying, "Look what happened to me and my family." But then I said, screw that. I can save a life.'

Opening up: Today show anchor Tamron Hall has revealed why she decided to start publicly speaking about her older sister Renate's murder. The journalist is pictured at a benefit in March 

Opening up: Today show anchor Tamron Hall has revealed why she decided to start publicly speaking about her older sister Renate's murder. The journalist is pictured at a benefit in March 

Horrific tragedy: The 45-year-old (center) is pictured with her sister Renate (right). Tamron's sister was found face down in a pool in Houston, Texas after being bludgeoned to death in 2004

Horrific tragedy: The 45-year-old (center) is pictured with her sister Renate (right). Tamron's sister was found face down in a pool in Houston, Texas after being bludgeoned to death in 2004

Although the murder is still unsolved more than a decade later, police speculated the death was the result of domestic violence. 

Tamron recalled witnessing a physical assault between Renate and a male companion, whom she said she would not name out of fear of retaliation.

The MSNBC anchor revealed details of her sister's murder for the first time in 2014 during a Television Critics Association panel for Investigation Discovery, and she admitted that she still has regrets about how she handled the situation after she kicked the man out of her house.

'I said to her, "What's wrong with you? You're too beautiful. Too smart. You can do better." All the things I've learned now are wrong [from domestic abuse advocates], I did them all,' she told People. 

Police speculated the death was the result of domestic violence although the murder of Renate remains unsolved. The tragedy led Tamron to become the host of the series Deadline: Crime (pictured)
Police speculated the death was the result of domestic violence although the murder of Renate (pictured) remains unsolved. The tragedy led Tamron to become the host of the series Deadline: Crime

Police speculated the death was the result of domestic violence although the murder of Renate (right) remains unsolved. The tragedy led Tamron to become the host of the series Deadline: Crime (left)

Family photo: Tamron and her mother Mary Newton are pictured at the 2015 Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation Gala in Chicago last May 

Family photo: Tamron and her mother Mary Newton are pictured at the 2015 Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation Gala in Chicago last May 

Happier times: Tamron and her family celebrated her mother's birthday with her last month 

Happier times: Tamron and her family celebrated her mother's birthday with her last month 

Tamron's sister continued the relationship with man, and after her death he was the only person of interest in her murder investigation, however, the case remains unsolved due to a lack of evidence. 

'Do we know who did this to her as defined by a court of law? No,' Tamron said. 'But I can tell you I witnessed an act of violence and there were only two other people in that room.' 

Although Renate was the daughter of Tamron's stepfather and they were not related by blood, the journalist said she her 'big sister', and she often turned to her for advice. 

Tamron has credited her experience with domestic violence as part of her motivation for becoming the host of the Investigation Discovery series Deadline: Crime in 2013. 

In addition to interviews with investigators, Tamron also speaks the relatives and friends of victims lost to violent crimes. While promoting the show that year, Tamron told Today that her father may have taken her sister's death the hardest. 

Tight-knit group: Tamron rang in 2016 with her family in Antigua. The journalist is pictured with her nephew Isaiah Hall on New Year's Eve 

Tight-knit group: Tamron rang in 2016 with her family in Antigua. The journalist is pictured with her nephew Isaiah Hall on New Year's Eve 

On set: Tamron became Today's first African-American female co-anchor in 2014. She is pictured with her co-hosts (from left to right) Willie Geist, Natalie Morales, and Al Roker

On set: Tamron became Today's first African-American female co-anchor in 2014. She is pictured with her co-hosts (from left to right) Willie Geist, Natalie Morales, and Al Roker

'My father passed away a few years after [Renate], my mother believes, of a broken heart, because a dad’s job is to protect his daughters,' she said 

And while the series investigates compelling crime cases, Tamron admitted last year that she isn't ready to have her sister's murder featured on the show out of fear of pubic scrutiny. 

Tamron explained on HuffPost Live that Renate battled substance abuse, but although she was able to overcome her addiction, she has seen people 'dissect life and the value of life based on someone's mistakes'. 

'I don’t know how I would feel if I read a tweet from someone and it said, "Well you sister made her bad decisions" or "She picked the wrong guy,"' she said. 'I think it would put me in a very dark place, and I’m not ready to expose her to that.'

In addition to her investigations on Deadline: Crime, Tamron is focused on raising awareness for domestic abuse through her work with the groups Safe Horizon and One Day.  

Comments (6)

Share what you think

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now