Leslie Sykes is a well-known American television news anchor, journalist, and reporter who works for ABC7, the ABC-owned station in Los Angeles. She is the morning and midday co-anchor of the âEyewitness Newsâ program. In 2021, she mysteriously disappeared from the stationâs programming, sparking concern and curiosity among her fans and viewers. What happened to Leslie Sykes and where is she in 2024? This article will try to answer these questions and provide some background information about her life and career.
Who is Leslie Sykes?
Leslie Ann Sykes was born on June 27, 1965, in San Diego, California. She grew up in Compton, California, where her father was an administrator for Compton Community College. She has two older sisters, Dawn and Daphne.
Age and early life
Sykes attended St. Joseph High School in Lakewood, California, and then went to Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, where she majored in English. She made her film debut as âMiss Missionâ in Spike Leeâs 1988 film, School Daze.
Career as a news anchor
Sykes began her professional career as a journalist at the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner, which is now defunct. She then interned at KCOP-TV, a local independent station, and worked as a desk assistant at KTTV, a Fox affiliate. She landed her first on-air job in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, at WDAM-TV, where she served as a reporter, anchor, and producer.
She returned to Los Angeles in 1990 and joined KABC-TV as a reporter and fill-in anchor. In 1994, she became a full-time co-anchor of the âEyewitness Newsâ morning and midday shows, alongside Phillip Palmer. She has covered many major stories, such as the 1994 Northridge earthquake, the 1997 North Hollywood shootout, the 2000 Democratic National Convention, and the 2008 presidential election. She has also interviewed many celebrities, such as Oprah Winfrey, Denzel Washington, and Tom Hanks.
Personal life and family
Sykes is married to Patrick Spann, a film and television director. They have two children, a son and a daughter. Sykes is a devout Christian and attends West Angeles Church of God in Christ. She is also involved in various community and charitable organizations, such as the American Heart Association, the March of Dimes, and the Los Angeles Urban League.
Sykes lost her father, Abel Baxton Sykes Jr., in 2012, and her mother, Sylvia Mae Thierry Sykes, in 2021. She shared the news of her motherâs death on her Instagram account, along with a tribute to her.
Recent News: What Happened to Leslie Sykes?
In July 2021, Sykes suddenly disappeared from ABC7âs morning and midday news shows, without any explanation from the station or from her. Her fans and viewers were alarmed and confused by her absence, and wondered if she had left the station, or if she was ill or in trouble.
Disappearance from ABC7 Morning News
Sykes did not announce or hint at any reason for her departure from ABC7âs programming. She did not post anything on her social media accounts about her work situation, either. The only clue that might explain her disappearance was her motherâs death, which she revealed on Instagram in July 2021. It is possible that Sykes took some personal time off to grieve and cope with her loss.
Speculations and rumors
However, some people speculated that there might be other reasons behind Sykesâ disappearance, such as a contract dispute, a health issue, or a career change. Some rumors suggested that Sykes was fired or demoted by ABC7, or that she quit or retired from the station. Some also wondered if she had moved to another network, or if she had decided to pursue other interests or passions.
None of these speculations or rumors were confirmed or denied by Sykes or by ABC7. They remained as mere guesses and assumptions, without any solid evidence or official statement.
Current Status of Leslie Sykes
As of early 2024, there is still no official explanation for Sykesâ time off from ABC7 in 2021. However, according to the ABC7 website, she is still employed by the station and is still the co-anchor of the âEyewitness Newsâ morning and midday shows. She has also appeared on some of the stationâs videos and posts on social media, indicating that she has resumed her work duties.
Sykes has also shared some updates on her personal Instagram account, showing that she is well and happy. She has posted some photos and videos of her family, friends, hobbies, and travels. She has also revealed that she is trying new things, such as oil painting, which she said was her first time.
Conclusion
Leslie Sykes is a respected and experienced news anchor, journalist, and reporter who has been working for ABC7 in Los Angeles for over 30 years. She is also a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend who values her faith and her community. In 2021, she mysteriously disappeared from ABC7âs programming, causing concern and curiosity among her fans and viewers. The only possible reason for her absence was her motherâs death, which she announced on Instagram. However, she did not provide any other details or information about her work situation. In 2024, she is still working for ABC7 and is still the co-anchor of the âEyewitness Newsâ morning and midday shows. She has also returned to social media and has shared some aspects of her personal life and interests. She seems to be well and happy, and is trying new things.
This article has tried to answer the questions of what happened to Leslie Sykes and where is she in 2024, based on the available sources and information. However, it is not a definitive or authoritative account, and it may contain errors or inaccuracies. The best way to know the truth about Leslie Sykes is to hear it from her directly, or from ABC7 officially. Until then, we can only hope that she is doing well and that she will continue to deliver the news with professionalism and integrity.
