Duncan McKenzie-McHarg Dead at 41: Sports Reporter Fell From Building

Australian sports reporter Duncan McKenzie-McHarg died on Wednesday, December 17, after apparently falling from a building in Los Angeles, where he was based. He was 41.

“It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Duncan — a deeply loved son, a devoted father to his precious boy Harrison, and a cherished brother to his three siblings,” his family said in a statement obtained by Australia’s new.com.au on Monday, December 22. “His passing has come as an unimaginable shock, leaving our family heartbroken and at a loss.”

The statement continued, “Duncan was truly extraordinary — a man whose positivity, care and humour touched everyone he met, and who sat at the heart of so many lives, bringing warmth, laughter and joy wherever he went. Our Darling Ducky.”

The Los Angeles County coroner’s office told news.com.au that McKenzie-McHarg fell from the top of a building and landed on the roof of another building in central L.A.

“We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Duncan McKenzie-McHarg,” a spokesperson for his employer, Australian streamer Stan, said in a statement to the Sydney Morning Herald on Monday. “Duncan was a valued contributor to Stan Sport, and our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this very difficult time.”

McKenzie-McHarg was known at Stan for his work on the outlet’s Grand Slam tennis coverage, with his Instagram page littered with photos and videos from Wimbledon, the U.S. Open and more. His work included interviews with tennis greats like Aryna Sabalenka, Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek.

A veteran sports reporter, McKenzie-McHarg previously worked for Australian networks Channel 7 and Network 10, and Fox Sports U.S. His first major opportunity came as part of Australian radio station Triple M Melbourne’s Hot Breakfast show alongside host Eddie McGuire. Mcguire, 61, told the Morning Herald that McKenzie-Mcharg’s death “was heartbreaking and devastating.”

“That he turned his natural happy and kind disposition into a skill set that disarmed the world’s biggest stars and built his international career from scratch brought great admiration from his old mates,” he said. ”Our deepest condolence[s] to Duncan’s family and friends. We are all so sad.”

McKenzie-McHarg previously called working in Los Angeles a “dream job.”

“I wake up every day in Los Angeles, and 90 percent of the time, it’s 25 degrees [77 degrees fahrenheit] and sunny,” he said in a 2023 interview with Radio Today. “I work a lot in shorts and thongs.”

Since news of his death broke, friends and fans have taken to his Instagram comments to express their condolences.

“I have been thinking of you mate,” one fan wrote. “Of the great projects, beers, coffees and banter. I’ll keep the memories close. You are missed. Such sad news for us all.”

9 Radio Tennis reporter Craig Gabriel added, “This is heartbreaking news. I can’t believe it. It’s just awful. We’d see one another working at the tennis through out the year. I feel numb. Too sad and tragic. Thoughts with Dunc’s family. RIP DMM.”