Byron Barnett, Beloved Boston TV Journalist and Minneapolis Native, Dies at 69 After Battle With Cancer

Byron Barnett, Beloved Boston TV Journalist and Minneapolis Native, Dies at 69 After Battle With Cancer

The journalism world is mourning the loss of a giant. Byron Barnett—a legendary Boston TV reporter, respected colleague, and cherished friend—has passed away at the age of 69 after a courageous battle with cancer. He died peacefully on Sunday in his hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota, surrounded by family.

Barnett was known not just for his iconic presence on WHDH-TV/7News Boston but for his fearless reporting, genuine compassion, and deep commitment to storytelling that connected communities. For more than three decades, Byron served as one of the most recognizable and respected faces in Boston television news. His legacy spans hundreds of major stories—from political campaigns and hurricanes to urban crime and civil rights issues.

Originally from Minneapolis, Barnett’s journey began at Roosevelt Senior High School. He went on to study at Gustavus Adolphus College and later at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. His early academic and community roots played a key role in shaping the man who would later become a beacon in American local journalism.

“Byron was one of the best reporters I ever met,” a longtime colleague recalled. “We never worked at the same shop, but we crossed paths often. He had a style—he was persistent but respectful. And everyone trusted him.”

Indeed, Barnett’s ability to ask the tough questions was legendary. He famously grilled Patriots coach Bill Belichick and once interviewed Muhammad Ali—moments that showcased both his tenacity and his ease with even the most prominent figures.

His colleagues remember him as a man who could both chase a breaking story in a snowstorm and break into deep belly laughs with friends over dinner. He was a gifted storyteller, a calm presence in the newsroom, and an endlessly generous spirit to those just starting out in the field.

Heartbreak also swept through the Boston broadcasting community as one of his closest friends and colleagues confirmed the news publicly. “Heartbroken to share the news that my good friend and longtime @7News colleague Byron Barnett died Sunday, surrounded by family, peacefully, in his native Minneapolis,” the statement read. “He faced cancer and its complications. Simply, everyone loved the man.”

In June, just a few weeks before his passing, Byron had dinner with some close friends during a visit to Boston. He looked great, full of life and laughter—a reminder of how fleeting our time here truly is.

Among his many accolades, Barnett was inducted into the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame and received the prestigious Silver Circle Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS). “He asked me to introduce him for those honors,” his friend remembered. “It was the ultimate compliment.”

Though the official arrangements for a memorial or funeral service are still pending, tributes have poured in from fellow journalists, friends, and viewers alike. Many have shared personal memories of Byron’s kindness, humility, and mentorship.

He leaves behind his beloved wife, Kathleen; children Byron, Parker, and KeeKee; and grandchildren, who were the pride of his life.

Byron Barnett’s death is not just the loss of a legendary reporter—it is the passing of a standard of journalism that put truth, people, and compassion above everything else.

We don’t just mourn his passing. We honor his legacy.

Rest peacefully, Byron. You were one of the best to ever do it.