Who is Deanne Lane family? All About husband Chris Pappas and son Griffin Goodrich

Deanne Lane, the Emmy Award–winning journalist and longtime face of KSDK-TV in St. Louis, is being remembered not only for her extraordinary career in broadcast journalism but also for the close-knit family that grounded her life away from the camera.

Lane, a trusted and beloved reporter for nearly three decades, passed away on Friday, January 30, 2026, at Mercy Hospital St. Louis in Creve Coeur. She was 65. While the station did not officially disclose the cause of death, former colleagues indicated that she had suffered a stroke shortly before her passing.

A Life Devoted to Journalism and Service

Lane joined KSDK (Channel 5) in 1983 and quickly became synonymous with the station’s acclaimed Night Beat program. Known for her calm authority, wit, and compassion, she covered some of the most significant national and local stories of the past several decades, including the Oklahoma City bombing, the Columbine High School shooting, Hurricane Katrina, the Missouri Miracle of 2007, and the Kirkwood City Hall shooting.

Her local reporting left a particularly lasting impression. One of her most notable projects was an in-depth series on homelessness, during which Lane spent five days living on the streets to better understand the experiences of unhoused individuals. Her humane approach to storytelling earned her widespread respect, an Emmy Award, and, in 2017, induction into the St. Louis Media History Foundation Hall of Fame.

Even after leaving KSDK in 2009, Lane remained deeply involved in community service, volunteering with organizations such as the St. Louis Area Food Bank, the Red Cross, the St. Louis Effort for AIDS, and the Special Olympics.

Deanne Lane’s Husband: Chris Pappas

Deanne Lane is survived by her husband, Chris Pappas, a retired St. Louis police homicide detective. Following his retirement from the police force, Pappas went on to work at Procter & Gamble and later joined the Federal Reserve Police. Those close to Lane have said that Pappas was a steady and supportive presence in her life, particularly as she transitioned away from full-time broadcasting.

While Lane was intensely public in her professional role, she was notably private about her marriage, choosing to keep her family life largely out of the spotlight.

Her Son: Griffin Goodrich

Lane’s only child, Griffin Goodrich, was born from her previous marriage to Gregory Goodrich. Gregory, a respected figure in the local restaurant and hospitality community, passed away suddenly in 2010 at the age of 50. His obituary described him as a devoted father who took great pride in supporting Griffin, especially in his baseball pursuits.

Colleagues and friends of Lane have often noted that, despite her demanding career, her son remained central to her life. Once the cameras were off, family was her priority.

A Lasting Legacy

KSDK General Manager Alicia Elsner described Lane as “a beloved member of our KSDK family who brought truth, compassion, and integrity to every story she told,” adding that while the station mourns her loss, it also celebrates “a life well lived in service to others.”

For generations of St. Louis viewers, Deanne Lane was a constant—someone who brought clarity during crises and humanity to difficult stories. She is survived by her husband Chris Pappas and son Griffin Goodrich, and by a legacy that continues to shape the newsroom she helped build and the community she served so faithfully.