- Paul Nelson, a former KSL NewsRadio reporter, died at 51 from cancer.
- He was known for his fearless reporting and dedication to journalism in Utah.
- Colleagues remembered his humor, empathy and devotion to his family and friends.
SALT LAKE CITY — Paul Nelson, who worked for nearly 18 years as a reporter at KSL NewsRadio, died Wednesday morning after battling pancreatic cancer. He was 51.
Nelson died at his home in Taylorsville with his family by his side, according to a social media post from his wife, Erica. He was first diagnosed with cancer in February 2024.
He was well-known in the Utah broadcasting world. Born and raised in California, Nelson began his career in 1999 at a small radio station in South Jordan. He quickly caught the bug for radio and journalism and later became a traffic reporter for several different radio stations in Salt Lake City. He also spent time working at ABC 4 before joining KSL NewsRadio in 2004.
During his time on the radio airwaves, Nelson covered everything from crime to politics to natural disasters.
"As a reporter, Paul was fearless," said Sheryl Worsley, former KSL NewsRadio news director who now works as vice president of KSL Podcasts. "He would talk to anyone about anything — no story was too challenging, no assignment too difficult. He approached every task with the same willingness that made him such a valued member of our team. He was also an incredible storyteller, both in his reporting and in person, and he never hesitated to help a colleague in need."
Worsley also said Nelson had a "remarkable gift" of humor and empathy to lift others up and make difficult days better, and he was loyal.
"He stood up for his friends and colleagues without hesitation," Worsley said. "And his love for his family was something he wore proudly — from his humorous posts about eating weird things and cooking fantastic meals, to the way he honored his wife and children on their birthdays. He made sure we all knew how devoted he was to them."
"Paul Nelson was a great person to have in the newsroom," added KSL NewsRadio reporter and host Heather Kelly. "He always took his job seriously, but not himself. While we worked opposite shifts, he was the one all the producers said to listen to when I was first hired to learn how great reporting and asking the best questions are done."
Becky Bruce, KSL NewsRadio news director who worked with Nelson for nearly 15 years, remembered his smile and laughter.
"KSL NewsRadio is a better place because Paul worked here," Bruce said. "He was a great mentor, a good colleague and an even better friend. Our hearts are broken today."
Nelson left KSL in 2022 to take a job as senior manager of communications at Real Salt Lake. Since 2023, he has worked as a reporter at KUTV 2News. Some of his colleagues set up a GoFundMe account to benefit his family.
Nelson is survived by his wife and three children. Funeral arrangements are pending.
"Paul was a talented, dedicated, ethical journalist," said KSL-TV reporter Andrew Adams, who worked at KSL NewsRadio for more than a decade. "I, however, will choose to remember Paul for the great man that he was — a friend who always made those around him smile in the face of adversity, difficult logistics and deadlines, and who brought an incredible light into the newsroom and into the lives of those who worked with him. I will miss him."
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