Vaughn Ververs was a veteran journalist and a top digital editor at NBC News, who passed away suddenly on March 19, 2023, at the age of 54. His death shocked and saddened his colleagues, friends, and family, who remembered him as a smart, funny, and kind person who mentored many young journalists and shaped the political coverage of several media outlets.
A Prolific Career in Journalism
Ververs had a long and distinguished career in journalism, spanning over three decades. He started as a reporter for The Associated Press in Denver, Colorado, where he covered state politics and government. He then moved to Washington, D.C., where he worked as a deputy press secretary for Pat Buchanan’s presidential campaign in 1992.
He later joined the National Journal’s Hotline, a daily political newsletter, where he became the editor-in-chief in 2004. He left Hotline in 2005 to join CBS News as a senior political editor and public eye editor, overseeing the network’s political coverage and online commentary. He also wrote a blog called “Public Eye”, which aimed to provide transparency and accountability to CBS News’ journalism.
In 2008, he left CBS News to join Politico as a senior editor, where he helped launch Politico’s 44 page, which covered the Obama administration. He also supervised Politico’s breaking news team and contributed to its main news site.
In 2010, he joined NBC News as a senior political editor for NBCNews.com, where he worked for almost 13 years until his death. He was responsible for managing the digital political coverage of NBC News, including its Decision Desk, which projects election results. He also edited the First Read newsletter and blog, which provided analysis and insights on the day’s political news.
A Beloved Husband and Father
Ververs was married to Lisa Ververs, whom he met at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he graduated with a degree in journalism in 1991. They had three children: Jack, Kate, and Will. Ververs was a devoted husband and father who loved spending time with his family. He was also an avid fan of the Colorado Buffaloes football team and enjoyed skiing and golfing.
A Mysterious Cause of Death
The cause of Ververs’ death has not been made public yet. His obituary only stated that he “passed suddenly” on March 19, 2023. His family and former coworkers have not revealed any details about what happened to him or whether he had any health issues or pre-existing conditions.
His sudden death has sparked speculation and rumors among some people, but until more information is available, it is best to respect his privacy and avoid making any assumptions or drawing any conclusions.
According to IJR¹, MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell announced his death on air on March 22, 2023, saying that “we all miss him terribly”. She also praised his journalistic achievements and his personality, saying that “he pioneered a generation of political journalism and he mentored so many young journalists here”.
Many other journalists who worked with Ververs also expressed their condolences and tributes on social media, describing him as a media pioneer, a skilled editor, a generous mentor, and a great guy.