Slain Anchorwoman's Gift To Others

Six People Received Anne Pressly's Organs; Her Father Says He's Satisfied With Little Rock Police Efforts To Find Her Killer

(CBS)  Anne Pressly will be laid to rest Thursday.

The 26-year-old Little Rock, Ark. TV anchor died Saturday following a brutal attack in her home Oct. 20.

News of her death brought an outpouring of emotion -- flowers, candles and stuffed animals for a makeshift memorial outside her home.

Meanwhile, the manhunt continues for a suspect in Pressly's murder, and the station where she worked, KATV, has established a reward fund for anyone with information that may help police. The fund now tops $33,000.

Anne's father, Guy Cannady, told Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith Wednesday that he and his wife have had, "as you can imagine, a very tough week. Lots of ups and downs, but we are -- we're getting through."

Cannady's wife, Patty, found their daughter's body when Pressly didn't respond to Patty's wakeup call.

"She's doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances," Cannady told Smith. "Again, as you can imagine, there have been many -- many lows and some highs. Lots of tears, some laughter as friends and family recounted stories of Ann that have touched (Patty's) heart. And other folks who've been extraordinarily kind to Patty and myself and the entire family."

Smith said Pressly is being remembered as an uplifting kind of person, and Cannady remarked that, "That is the one thing that we hang on to. You know, along with our faith. We are a family that has a strong foundation in our faith and beliefs. And Anne's presence is still felt now as a result of her faith and her personality, and her legacy going forward."

Cannady says he's satisfied with the probe of his daughter's slaying: "I've had numerous conversations with the Little Rock Police Department. The investigator in charge briefs me daily, personally. And, in addition, (I get) multiple phone calls. They are a little bit frustrated, as we all are, that progress has not been made yet. But I have every faith and confidence in the process and the procedures that they're using and going forward with to locate and apprehend the offender."

And Cannady said Anne actually goes on, in a sense, telling Smith, "When it became evident late Saturday afternoon of the outcome for Anne, we discussed the organ donation, and knew that that was something she would certainly have wanted to do. Twenty-four hours later, Sunday evening, we were advised that six people had been the recipient of Anne's gift. So there's a legacy that will continue to live on in other people through her. And for that, we're thankful and grateful."

[blackyowe]

Its a terrible shame all around. My thoughts and prayers are for her family.

[ruby0728]

Did you realize that what you said was she was beautiful so it effected you being ugly would make it alright.

Now I understand that you don''''t mean it that way (at least I hope you don''''t) but that is how powerful words can be.

This type of murder should disturb everyone not because she was pretty or bright but because she was a person that was robbed of life by some scum bucket.


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Well, I think she was just a young woman who was robbed of her life in an unacceptable brutal fashion. Matters not to me what she looked like, it''s not even in the equation.

[beader59]

to swingset4u: why couldn''t just leave the comment alone about the anchor woman being a nice person. I am sure the poster wasn''t even meaning to degrade anyone else. Let nice comments be just that...nice.

[swingset4u]

This was just wrong all the way. She was a very sweet pretty young lady well on her way to the big time. This kind of stuff does not need to happen.

Posted by generey

As opposed to a homeless person missing his/her teeth and stragly hair???

It shouldn''t happen to ANYONE! Just thought I would shed some light on your chosen words.

[generey]

This was just wrong all the way. She was a very sweet pretty young lady well on her way to the big time. This kind of stuff does not need to happen.

[denn034]

Let me also tell CBS that a check for people that used the People Search sites may reveal that someone got Pressly''s address through those sites and the killer may be caught that way.

[denn034]

A good thing. This seems like a good place to point out that she may''ve been killed by the same man that killed the blonde, news reporter in Lubbock awhile back. Just passing that along. It''s good to see that good came from her death, that is except for the mourning of her family, friends, and co-workers though. Here''s hoping the monster that killed her gets caught.

[danielle_mom]

Even in death, she is being a role model for her viewers.

[antoniof123]

I work in Little Rock during the week, and Anne''''s story has affected me deeply.

To see such a beautiful, smart and gentle person silenced so early in life is disturbing.

When the media recorded law enforcement removing her cocker spaniel dogs from her house, I almost lost it. She must have loved her dogs, and they loved her in return.

Little Rock has lost a kind and compassionate person.
Posted by Ksjeff at 11:22 AM : Oct 29, 2008

Did you realize that what you said was she was beautiful so it effected you being ugly would make it alright.

Now I understand that you don''t mean it that way (at least I hope you don''t) but that is how powerful words can be.

This type of murder should disturb everyone not because she was pretty or bright but because she was a person that was robbed of life by some scum bucket.

[credibility2]

Some of these posts are by some really disturbed angry and bitter individuals. On point, however, organ donation is something everyone should consider designating and making sure their loved ones know about. The organ donation wish should also be spelled out in one''s will so any errant family members can''t override the decedent''s expressed wish, which frequently occurs. God bless the victim, the family, friends and co-workers. Bless also those who were fortunate enough to receive her organs. Her life will continue through this gift of life.

[jonathanw20]

I am sorry to bring this up here, but it is important. It should be investigated whether this was a crime motivated by hatred towards the media. Without freedom of press, we cannot have a democracy we can trust in. The press was half blind all the time during the Bush administration and see what we have got. Now Sarah Palin is promoting the same idea that Bush did about the media being a villain and deserves people''s hatred. Sarah Palin is a cunning politician and she used this tactic to hide her incomptence and to paint her stupidity at the interviews as if it is the media''s fault. I just hope that politicians who thrive on propaganda and spreading hatread have no place in today''s world.

[fulghum2]

Horrible crime and especially the way this person did it. Such evil.

[besttyper]

It wouldn''t matter if the shop clerk was blind. Haven''t you ever heard of "pay at the pump"?

[slim1h2o]

Was the shop clerk blind?



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Posted by anon00 at 02:23 PM : Oct 29, 2008


Tsk,,,tsk,,,,tsk....

Use your head,,,,, for something other than a hat rack.

[slim1h2o]

Were you there?


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Posted by anon00 at 01:43 PM : Oct 29, 2008


What a silly/stupid question. Are you Nancys'' alter ego?

Let me ask you one question.....Who used her credit card?

In Little Rock......?


Oh sorry,,that was two questions. Hope you were not taxed.

[galsmiley]

My prayers are with her family, friends, co-workers and those charged with finding her killer. It is wonderful that her family thought of others in their time of grief and loss by donating her organs. God bless you!

[pkelly79]

They better catch the dirt bag or bags that committed this awful crime.

[iknow2much]

Her gift was the organ donation. Did you read the article?

[ksjeff-2009]

I work in Little Rock during the week, and Anne''s story has affected me deeply.

To see such a beautiful, smart and gentle person silenced so early in life is disturbing.

When the media recorded law enforcement removing her cocker spaniel dogs from her house, I almost lost it. She must have loved her dogs, and they loved her in return.

Little Rock has lost a kind and compassionate person.

[myopinion381]

What a wonderful thing that the family decided to donate her organs. My family knows to do that with me as well. As others have posted, it is one of the most wonderful gifts a person can do and gives the family a sense that you are still going on in someone else.