Taylor Anderson is first U.S. victim in Japan

Among the dead in Japan is the first known American victim, 24-year-old Taylor Anderson.

Anderson, an English teacher from Midlothian, Va., was part of a teacher exchange and was due to return home in August.

American teacher found dead in Japan

She was last seen on her bike in the seaside city of Ishinomaki - about 50 miles northeast of the quake's epicenter - after making sure her students had been picked up.

On "The Early Show" co-anchor Jeff Glor reported Anderson's parents have released a statement saying, "Please continue to pray for all who remain missing and for the people of Japan."

Four days after the tsunami struck, Anderson's parents were initially told their daughter was found alive. Later that day, however, the Andersons were told by the organization Taylor works for, JET, the Japan Exchange Teaching program, that an error had been made and Taylor's whereabouts were unknown. Taylor's parents were notified Monday of her death by the U.S. Embassy in Japan.

[herefords]

I sat in disbelief that you actually broke into the mother's speech about her daughter and went to the news of Elizabeth Taylor!!!!!! Elizabeth Taylor lead a full life and yet when a young woman is struck down tragically and the family has agreed to a painful and hearfelt interview, you actually just shut her off to discuss Liz Taylor's alcohol and drug addictions!!!!! Could it not have waited several more minutes????? Good grief, where is your sense of decency to a grieving family or is this network just too hungry for the top selling story and has no human compassion because if that is so then I no longer will be tuning in anymore! Did you ever even stop and think that her family and friends may have been filming so they could replay it in times of healing to feel her presence with them at a low moment??? How do you explain that you so unfeelingly cut them off and then NEVER even had the decency to finish the story??? I actually sat and waited for the finish because I was interested in the story of Taylor Anderson's life and finally just turned off the tv with disgust for your callus actions. Stop and ask yourself what the network would have done if it had been one of the anchors children!!!!!!!!!!! If I was Taylor Anderson's family or friends I would refuse any further interviews with you and accept them with another station.

[keelimac]

My heart goes out to the family of this lovely woman. She was a hero in the face of unbelievable disaster. Her story has touched so many.

I join the other viewers thoughts on how disrespectful CBS has been in handling what should have been a tribute to a young hero who made a difference in saving many children's lifes to run 'breaking news' on the death of an actress. I did change the channel and may keep it changed every morning. Poor, poor judgement.

[Dilucchio]

I, too, was watching the piece on Taylor Anderson, with her mother and sister, graciously sharing detailed and personal information on this extraordinary individual and her life. It was abruptly dropped for this news headlines, informing viewers of the death of Elizabeth Taylor, yes, another "extraordinary individual". However, for the original story to be dropped and not so much as a word mentioned to explain the networks actions is unbelievable! What a contradiction to a networks "raison d'etre" ! Is not your purpose in life to inform viewers????? Redundant question perhaps, but one, nonetheless, that might be considered. Although you have thus far chosen not to acknowledge your error in judgement, an apology is still due, and expected. This was a really insensitive choice, and one that unfortunately shows the true colors of large network broadcasting.....Is this kind of hacksaw coverage really what earns a show high ratings? I am tuning out for a while.....no great loss, but it was a wake-up call to me. My condolences to Taylor's family. I loved the description of her, given by her sister. You can see that Taylor loved life, and had a Servant's heart inside.

[justicerebel]

I don't plan to watch the morning show either. Usually I tune into Good Morning America and was on my way to switching channels after turning on my set this morning when the Taylor Anderson story started and I was very interested to hear the family's story and more about Taylor herself and what she was doing there. I really doubt there will be any apology publicly for this error. Seems the larger networks don't really care what it's viewers think or they would have been monitoring this blog and said something before the show ended. I have an idea that the interview was recorded because wasn't the same anchor the one who broke in with the news that Elizabeth Taylor had died? CBS has much to learn. Can we all say Charlie Sheen??? I guess this is the "Winning" he speaks of.

[Dilucchio]

I, too, was watching the piece on Taylor Anderson, with her mother and sister, graciously sharing detailed and personal information on this extraordinary individual and her life. It was abruptly dropped for this news headlines, informing viewers of the death of Elizabeth Taylor, yes, another "extraordinary individual". However, for the original story to be dropped and not so much as a word mentioned to explain the networks actions is unbelievable! What a contradiction to a networks "raison d'etre" ! Is not your purpose in life to inform viewers????? Redundant question perhaps, but one, nonetheless, that might be considered. Although you have thus far chosen not to acknowledge your error in judgement, an apology is still due, and expected. This was a really insensitive choice, and one that unfortunately shows the true colors of large network broadcasting.....Is this kind of hacksaw coverage really what earns a show high ratings? I am tuning out for a while.....no great loss, but it was a wake-up call to me. My condolences to Taylor's family. I loved the description of her, given by her sister. You can see that Taylor loved life, and had a Servant's heart inside.

[clskipper]

I also could not believe that CBS chose to interrupt the Taylor Anderson family interview--my heart goes out to the family and I was enjoying hearing more about Taylor's life, career and service to the people of Japan. Did CBS just want to be the first "breaking news" of Elizabeth Taylor's death? I think so. BTW--it wasn't on other networks(E. Taylor's death)--they continued with there regular programming--and sadly unless it was a later time than I was viewing--no other network had the Anderson family. My condolences to both of these families--with no thanks to CBS.

[dhausphd2b]

To the Anderson family, the condolences of a nation of teachers who know what it is like at the beginning of a promising career to glean the smiles and love of students as they are set on their own course of life. Taylor's short career and life will be missed.

Now, to the CBS "family". The audacity! It was extremely difficult for the mother and sister of Taylor Anderson to allow you to have them on your Early Show while they were in the very rawest of their grieve! Where were your sensibilities? Protocol for proper behavior at the very least? Elizabeth Taylor will have "memorials" and "special reports" for weeks. What would it have hurt to have given just a few more minutes to allow Taylor Anderson's mother to speak? Teachers sacrifice daily without respect, but to have the family of this beautiful young and giving woman literally slapped in the face with national, and via internet, international disrespect is beyond deplorable.

We knew Liz was dying, she was 79 and had been in tabloids and television for weeks warning of her demise. The nation needed and wanted to hear of a brave and selfless young woman, not of an old actress who had indulged her entire life in excess and selfish behavior (by your own admission in the "Breaking News").

We demand an apology to the Anderson family, follow-up with the family when they bring Taylor home, and do a special on how she gave, and gave, in the ultimate way, with her life in the short time that she graced our earth with her presence. Nothing less will be acceptable. Give Taylor Anderson her due.

[justicerebel]

What a great idea! CBS really needs to do as you suggest. I too was interested in hearing about what Taylor Anderson had been doing over in Japan. I am glad I am not the only one who is outraged over the way the family was treated. I hope the anchors of CBS Early Show see our posts about how this was handled and do another story on Taylor Anderson. "dhausphd2b" said it best of all...Elizabeth Taylor was NOT the TAYLOR I should have been learning about. "Give Taylor Anderson her due"

[justicerebel]

I have been continuing to watch CBS Morning Show hoping someone there with some respect and half a brain would apologize for interrupting the story on Taylor Anderson but sadly nothing was said at all! How sad!!! I guess I should have switched channels to see if another station had an interview with Taylor's family but did not. I was so sure the anchors would apologize at the end if not before! Double Shame on CBS! I guess Les thinks its fine to give his wife her own show, but nothing wrong with what happened this morning concerning this interview with the "First U.S. Victim" in the tragedy surrounding Japan. Heads should roll!

[goldiebill]

This story should not have preempted by "Breaking News" of Liz Taylor's death. While it was of interest to many people, it would have been more respectful to at least let the Taylor Anderson story finish. But Taylor didn't do drugs, drink, and be married several times so her story isn't as newsworthy. Shame on CBS.

[bnvanbrocklin]

This is a very tragic story and my heart goes out to her family. I am disgusted with the show and the way they handled the abrubt interruption to announce Elizabeth Taylor's death. It was very disrespectful to the family who were willing to share their loss with you. And what made it even worse was there was no return or apology to the family. I think its very sad that this newscast feels a celebrity's death bulletin is first priority!

[justicerebel]

First, my condolences to the family and prayers for them in their loss. I didn't know her, but was saddened that someone who had a heart to help others selflessly has been taken from this world. May Taylor rest in peace. I was additionally saddened that CBS chose to interrupt the interview about Taylor to announce a celebrity passing.

Really CBS??? You couldn't have waited a few minutes to announce the passing of Elizabeth Taylor? The fact that you chose to come back without mention of the interruption and apologize for it was a bad move. This was probably our only chance to hear from you about Taylor Anderson's work in Japan. We will hear about Elizabeth Taylor all day and probably longer! Shame on CBS!!!