Emmy-winning Florida TV anchor, 56, found dead at his home after he missed his Sunday morning show
- Todd Tongen was found dead in his home Sunday; cause of death is still unknown
- The 56-year-old had worked for WPLG TV in Miami for nearly three decades
- His body was discovered after he missed the morning's broadcast at WPLG
- Best known for '10 Taxi,' in which he drove celebrities around in a Checker cab
- Celebrities include, Dwayne Johnson, Eva Mendez, Vin Diesel and Joan Rivers
- Tongen won Emmy Award for feature reporting and received six nominations
- The beloved anchor is survived by wife, Karen, and their sons, Tyler and Ryker
Todd Tongen (pictured), the weekend news anchor at WPLG, has died. He was 56
An Emmy-winning Florida TV anchor was found dead inside his home after his wife requested that a friend go check on him.
Todd Tongen missed Sunday morning’s broadcast at WPLG, where he's worked for nearly three decades.
His wife, Karen, who was out of town, said she was unable to reach him and asked a friend to check on her husband.
Police were then called in to investigate and found Tongen's body at his Southwest Ranches home on Sunday. He was 56-years-old.
The station says the cause of death wasn't immediately known.
Following the tragic news, tributes poured in for Tongen.
'Journalists are trained to cover heart-breaking tragedies. They perform their duties under stress even when they are in pain and they often mourn with the community,' WPLG tweeted on Sunday.
'It wasn't any different today when the @WPLGLocal10 team lost one of their own.'
Tongen anchored weekend mornings with Neki Mohan.
Mohan tweeted: 'This is how I will always remember Todd. My creative Soulmate and just a really great guy. Thanks to all of you who have reached out. Still in shock.'
WPLG's hurricane specialist, Bryan Norcross, shared on Twitter: 'Todd took over Neighborhood Weather at WPLG from me in 1990.
Tongen, who anchors the station's morning weekend segments with Neki Mohan (left), was found at his home on Sunday after he missed the morning's broadcast
Following the tragic news, tributes poured in for Tongen. Mohan led the tributes with this touching tweet
'Journalists are trained to cover heart-breaking tragedies. They perform their duties under stress even when they are in pain and they often mourn with the community,' WPLG tweeted on Sunday
'He was kind and funny and the life of the newsroom. It was wonderful to see him still there with the same spirit when I came back last year. His passing is a tremendous loss for South Florida and all of us at Ch. 10.'
WPLG Executive Sports Producer Dukie Lang tweeted: 'Horrible day. Our Michael Putney said something so profound: "The cause of death is not yet known, the cause of grief is."'
'Absolutely gutted. Every newsroom needs personalities like Todd Tongen. He was so creative and so funny. I could see a story & know it was a Tongen.'
The Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department took to Twitter to express their sorrow.
'The men and women of the Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department extend their deepest condolences to the @WPLGLocal10 family as they try to understand and grieve the sudden loss of their friend.
'The PIO (Public Information Officer) community is especially struck, as Todd was always a supporter of our mission.'
Meteorologist Luke Dorris tweeted this Easter photo of himself, Tongen and Mohan
WPLG's Morning News anchor, Jacey Birch, tweeted: 'I can’t stop crying today. I want him back. I want to see that smile in person. I want him to make me laugh.
'I want another "Hot Toddy" hug. I want my Todd Tongen back. I’m not ok with this ending. I want to rewrite it. I wish I could rewrite it. I miss you. And I’m just so sad.
'An incredible mentor and co-anchor. The kind of person who you would go out of your way to see just because you know he’d make you laugh,' meteorologist Brandon Orr shared on Twitter.
Keeping his family in my thoughts today. Rest In Peace, Todd. You’re incredibly missed,' Orr added.
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One of his most popular segments was '10 Taxi,' in which Tongen drove guests such as comedian Joan Rivers and actor Vin Diesel in a 1967 Checker cab
Tongen began his broadcasting career in 1983 as a radio disc jockey in his native Minnesota
One of his most popular segments was '10 Taxi,' in which Tongen drove guests such as comedian Joan Rivers and actor Vin Diesel in a 1967 Checker cab.
Among other famous names to ride in the cab with Tongen were actors David Cassidy, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and Eva Mendez.
Viewers also watched Tongen train with the Miami Dolphins and fly with the Air Force Thunderbirds.
Tongen began his broadcasting career in 1983 as a radio disc jockey in his native Minnesota.
He received the Associated Press Award for best feature report in 1989.
The broadcaster also won an Emmy Award for feature reporting and has been nominated six times.
He is survived by his wife, Karen, and his two sons, Tyler and Ryker.
The married, father-of-two received the Associated Press Award for best feature report in 1989 and an Emmy Award for feature reporting. Tongen is pictured with his family
He is survived by his wife, Karen, and his two sons, Tyler and Ryker (all pictured)
