Meteorologist Jessica Starr Commits Suicide Amid Lasik Eye Surgery Complications

Jessica Starr, a Detroit meteorologist, died by suicide Wednesday night. The news was reported by the station Starr worked at WJBK-TV, a Fox affiliate.

Starr, 35, a mother of two, told viewers one month ago that she was struggling to recover from the Lasik SMILE eye surgery, the Daily Mail reported.

The eye surgery involves using a femtosecond laser to create a small tissue in the corneas. Here, the laser makes an arc-shape incision on the surface of the cornea to extract the tissue through and discard it. The produced was approved by the FDA in 2016.

The surgery is designed to change the shape of the cornea and correct nearsightedness. Typical recovery time is within a few days without stitches and quickly improved vision. Starr wore contacts for years to correct her eyesight, the Daily Mail reported.

It was not reported if Starr had the procedure done in Detroit.

Starr underwent surgery in October, taking four weeks off before returning to work for one day in November. The struggle of being at work was reportedly too much, and Starr stayed home the next day, the news outlet said.

Starr uploaded a video to her Facebook page on Nov. 13, the same day she returned to work asking her viewers for their prayers and well wishes.

“I am struggling a little bit so I need all the prayers and well wishes,” she said in the video. “This is a hard go... If you have any tips I'd appreciate it, I'm trying to stay strong and get through this recovery... Thanks again for all the wishes, I'm excited to be back I just want to get my vision back so I can keep you guys smiling.”

The next day, Starr posted that she was not ready to return to work. “Yesterday was a struggle for me,” she said. “I really wanted to come back but I need more time to recover. Please keep me in your thoughts during this challenging time. Will keep you updated.”

This was Starr’s final post.

Morning news anchor Amy Andrews informed viewers in a tweet of Starr’s passing. She wrote, “Our hearts are broken. Last night we were informed our Jessica Starr took her life. Her Fox 2 family is deep shock and cannot believe such a wonderful, bright and intelligent woman is gone. Keep her family in your prayers in the coming days as we all deal with our grief.”

WJBK-TV also shared a tweet about Starr’s death. The station wrote, “Last night we were informed of the heartbreaking news that our friend and colleague, meteorologist Jessica Starr took her life. All of us here are in shock and cannot believe such a wonderful, bright and intelligent individual will no longer be with us.”

The station commemorated Starr in a segment that aired Thursday morning. Her co-workers also expressed their condolences.

WJBK-TV anchor Roop Raj wrote in a tweet, “It is with a heavy heart that I post this. Our dear friend and colleague Jessica Starr has died. She leaves behind a husband, two beautiful children and a loving family. I send my deepest sympathies to her family. Our hometown girl will always be remembered fondly.”

Starr, whose maiden name was Rose, was married to her husband Daniel for eight years. She was a native of Michigan that was born in Southfield and raised in Commerce Township, according to the Detroit News. She lived in Novi, Michigan, and held two meteorology degrees – one from Michigan State University and the other from Mississippi State University.

Starr previously worked in Lansing, Michigan, and also as an auto show model/product specialist. In addition, she worked at a Baltimore TV station. She joined WJBK-TV in 2011.