Lesley Matuszak, a prominent figure in Peoria, Illinois, passed away on September 28, 2023, at the age of 66. Born on June 13, 1957, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to George and Ruth Murray Dewalt, Matuszak had a significant impact on the community through her various roles.
At the time of her death, Matuszak was the president and CEO of WTVP, a PBS station in Peoria. However, she had resigned from this position just a day before her death.
Her career also included work at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Peoria and her involvement in founding the Greater Peoria Honor Flight.
The Peoria County Coroner, Jamie Harwood, released the cause of Matuszak's death, stating that she took her own life. This announcement was made despite the coroner's office generally not reporting deaths by suicide, due to Matuszak's public profile and the need to inform the community. The investigation, which included a forensic autopsy and collaboration with the Peoria Police Department, concluded that there was no reason to reach any other conclusion.
Matuszak's death occurred during a challenging period for WTVP, which had recently faced significant financial difficulties, leading to the layoff of nine employees and a 30% budget cut. The station's board of directors had also identified "questionable, unauthorized, or improper" spending, contributing to the financial strain.
The coroner emphasized the importance of discussing suicide prevention and the need to address negative speculation on social media, which can exacerbate the suffering of families affected by such tragedies. Resources such as counseling services and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline were highlighted as crucial for preventing similar incidents and supporting those in need.
