Former TV anchor reveals daughter, 32, has cancer just six months after she gave birth to her first child

By NATASHA ANDERSON, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 15:21, 24 June 2026 | Updated: 15:25, 24 June 2026 A former Missouri TV anchor has gone 'off the grid' as her daughter battles cancer just months after becoming a new mother. Randi Naughton on Monday announced that she was suspending her 'More to Say' podcast to focus on her 32-year-old daughter Allex Matuszek, who was recently diagnosed with bile duct cancer. 'Helping my daughter and my family through this journey is my job now. We will leave no stone unturned to get her the best treatment possible,' Naughton wrote on social media.  Matuszek, who has tumors growing on her liver, gave birth to her first child, a son named Crue, just six months ago. She was allegedly asymptomatic and her mother claims that her cancer was 'found by chance.' Matuszek began treatment this week at the Siteman Cancer Center in St Louis, in collaboration with the Mayo Clinic and Massachusetts General Hospital. Naughton will be attending a cancer symposium on Friday to learn more about her daughter's condition, which she says is 'very rare for someone her age.' 'We are moving forward w/determination & knowledge to be as best equipped as we can so Allex may be around for her son & us for many years,' she wrote. 'Any stories, messages, good vibes & yes, prayers are welcome!' Former KTVI anchor Randi Naughton, left, announced Monday that her daughter Allex Matuszek, right, is battling a rare bile duct cancer Matuszek has tumors growing on her liver. She began treatment this week at the Siteman Cancer Center in St Louis The podcaster was a staple in St Louis's KTVI newsroom for 23 years. She left the station in 2022. Matuszek is the only child of Naughton and her husband of nearly four decades, Brian. The couple welcomed their daughter into their lives while Naughton was working at KTVI.  In a July 2022 letter announcing her departure from the station, Naughton shared how she loved working with the team and was leaving on her own accord. 'For the past 23 years, I've been "Waking up Your Day" here on FOX 2 News. Helping to get you going or getting the kids off to school. We have shared severe weather and breaking news,' she wrote at the time.  'I always strive to present the news in a fair, honest, and relatable way. I hope you saw it that way too. I am stepping away from the anchor desk after 30 years. Not because of a scandal or a contract dispute. This is my choice. My call, my chance to sleep past the middle of the night o'clock.' She said she wanted to 'experience things outside of this morning show,' noting how for 23 years she was beginning her work day at 2am. Naughton thanked KTVI viewers, management and her colleagues, especially her co-anchor and 'work husband' John Pertzborn, for their continued support throughout her career.  'I may be one of the faces of this broadcast but it takes a team to do what we do every day,' she said. Matuszek and her husband Camille welcomed a baby boy, Crue, just six months ago Naughton joined KTVI in 1994 as a sports broadcaster and later moved to the morning show team. She left the station in 2022 and launched a podcast in 2024 She went on to thank Matuszek and Brian for their unwavering support of her career. 'I'd like to thank my only child, my daughter, Allex, who was born after I started at KTVI. She has literally shared me with you,' she said in the letter. 'Now she and her husband, Camille, get mama all to themselves. And of course, to my husband of 34 years, Brian, who is a light sleeper, was probably awakened by my middle of the night alarm almost as much as I was.  'Thank you for the support, the encouragement and the love over the years, and of course, for putting up with me when mama didn't get her afternoon nap now we'll be able to be spending a lot more time together. Maybe fishing, going to restaurants. Wish us luck.' Naughton's love for journalism began at her high school in New York state, where she read the morning announcements. She joined KTVI in 1994 as a sports broadcaster and later moved to the morning show team. She launched her More to Say with Randi Naughton podcast in 2024. The program saw her interview entertainers, authors and changemakers. It is unclear how long Naughton's hiatus from the program will last.  No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. 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