The Australian sports media community is in mourning following the tragic death of respected reporter and presenter Duncan McKenzie-McHarg in Los Angeles. The 41-year-old was found dead after a fall from a building in Downtown LA, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.
A Heartfelt Tribute from a Mentor
Veteran media personality Eddie McGuire led the tributes, describing his former protégé as a 'sunny, optimistic friend'. McKenzie-McHarg began his media career in January 2010 as a reporter on Triple M's Hot Breakfast with McGuire, a role he held for almost three years. 'Like everyone who was exposed to the sunny, optimistic, quirky joy of our friend and colleague Duncan McKenzie-McHarg, the news was heartbreaking and devastating,' McGuire said in a statement.
McGuire praised how McKenzie-McHarg turned his natural disposition into a skill set that 'disarmed the world's biggest stars' and built an international career from scratch. The pair shared a close bond, with the younger journalist once citing McGuire as his inspiration for becoming a sports presenter.
A Rising Career Cut Short
After his start at Triple M, McKenzie-McHarg's talent saw him move to prominent roles at Channel Seven and Channel Ten. In 2017, he secured the position of US correspondent for Fox Sports Australia, a post he held until May 2022. His career reached a pinnacle in August 2022 when he landed his dream role as a Los Angeles-based sports presenter for Stan Sport.
In this capacity, he interviewed a who's who of global sporting icons, including:
- Basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal
- NFL great Tom Brady
- Tennis superstars Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic
- Golf icon Tiger Woods
He was also pictured working alongside Australian tennis great Todd Woodbridge and US athlete Madison Keys.
An Industry in Mourning
The shock of his sudden passing has resonated deeply on both sides of the Pacific. A spokesperson for Stan expressed profound sadness, stating Duncan was a 'valued contributor to Stan Sport' and offering condolences to his family and friends.
Fans have also flooded social media with messages of grief and disbelief, with one writing 'RIP Duncan. We all love you so much,' while another simply asked, 'Why, just why?'. McKenzie-McHarg was renowned for his enthusiastic and engaging style, which allowed him to build a unique rapport with the elite athletes he interviewed.
If you or anyone you know needs immediate support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via lifeline.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
