‘One of the legends of the Boston broadcasting world’: Longtime 7News reporter Byron Barnett has died

Byron Barnett, who worked for decades as a reporter at Boston’s 7News, has died at the age of 69, the station announced Monday.

Barnett, who retired from the station four years ago and was inducted into the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2017, passed away in his native Minneapolis, Minnesota.

“Throughout his four decade career, Byron cherished the privilege of telling the stories of New Englanders who welcomed him into their lives,” his family said in a statement, released by WHDH. “After facing cancer with unwavering courage, Byron passed away peacefully on Sunday, surrounded by his loving family.”

WHDH reporter Jonathan Hall shared the news of his friend and former colleague’s passing on Instagram.

“Simply, everyone loved the man,” Hall wrote. “He was such a good reporter and communicator who loved a nasty Nor’easter, or ball game, or presidential race. He covered many of them. He famously grilled Belichick. He even interviewed Muhammad Ali!”

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Barnett joined WHDH in 1983 and was the host of the long-running public affairs show Urban Update.

During his remarks at his induction into the state’s Broadcasters Hall of Fame, Barnett said he strove throughout his career to not only “get it right” in his reporting, but to share stories with the proper context to avoid unintended consequences.

He said he was “blessed with a fantastic career” and expressed gratitude to all those in Boston and New England who “welcomed him” into their homes with their stories of joy and tragedy.

“I have always done my best to tell their stories accurately and to tell them well,” he said.

As news of his passing spread, journalists in Boston shared their admiration for their former colleague, competitor, and friend, and public figures expressed gratitude for his work.

“Byron Barnett was human first—smart, principled, and honest, everything you look for in a journalist,” former Boston mayor Marty Walsh wrote on X.

“One of the legends of the Boston broadcasting world,” 7New’s Steve Cooper wrote.

Amaka Ubaka, anchor at 7News, said Barnett was “one of the best reporters to ever do it.”

 “He had such a kind heart and was literally loved by everyone, which is rare in this business,” she wrote on Instagram.

“We covered many stories together,” Bob Ward, of Boston 25 News, wrote. “He was always gracious, kind. I admired his reporting & tenacity. He was/is the absolute BEST.”

Dialynn Dwyer

Dialynn Dwyer is a reporter and editor at Boston.com, covering breaking and local news across Boston and New England.