JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Former News4JAX anchor and reporter Corley Peel provided a heartbreaking update that her twin sister had passed away after battling stage 4 lung cancer.
Corley Peel recently said goodbye to local viewers and co-workers after five years at News4JAX — knowing she had to be by her sister’s side with the time she had left.
“Tuesday, August 23, 2022 was the hardest day of my life,” Corley said in a social media post Friday. “Chelsea went to her heavenly place. I was by her side as she peacefully took her final breath. My heart and whole world is shattered. This doesn’t feel real.
“Never in a million years did I think I’d lose my twin sister to lung cancer (a non-smoker) at age 32. She fought so hard for nearly 3 years, the post said. “I don’t know how I’m going to function without the closest human to me and my favorite person in the whole world. Words can’t describe how amazing, strong, fiercely independent, smart and funny she was.”
Corley thanked everyone who has reached out to her during this difficult time.
On Aug. 14, a special moment was shared on Corley’s last day on-air when her twin sister, Chelsea, made a surprise TV appearance — traveling all the way from Texas to support her.
Corley said that her sister has been going through treatments for the past couple of years and that the diagnosis was a shock to her family because she has never smoked and the cause is unknown.
RELATED: Corley Peel says goodbye to News4JAX, heads home to be with twin sister who’s battling lung cancer
In the last segment of “The Morning Show,” following goodbyes and a highlight reel of Corley’s stories she has reported on during the previous five years, Chelsea emerged from backstage in a surprise that brought tears to Corley’s eyes.
“Oh my gosh!” said Corley, clearly shocked. “I am so happy you’re here!”
“I felt like I had to be here,” Chelsea said. “Thank you so much for everything you’ve done to support me, leaving such a great place like this to come support me. I couldn’t ask for a better sister.”
Chelsea and her mother made the last-minute decision to travel from Texas earlier to be there with Corley on her difficult last day. Chelsea and Corley said at the time that they would now have the chance to live together in the same city and reconnect for the first time since their college days at Texas Tech University.
Nine days later, Chelsea passed away.
We are heartbroken and are sending strength and love to Corley and her family.