Media critic and journalist Eric Boehlert has died following a bike accident in New Jersey. He was 57.
“Rest In Peace Eric Boehlert,” tweeted Jon Stewart. “Greatly admired his passion and tenacity.”
Hillary Clinton tweeted that she is “devastated for his family and friends and will miss his critical work to counteract misinformation and media bias. What a loss.”
The Press Run founder and editor, who lived in New Jersey, was remembered by broadcast journalist Soledad O’Brien as “a fierce and fearless defender of the truth.”
“Adored his kids Jane and Ben, his dogs, biking and running and basketball and good friends,” wrote O’Brien in a Twitter thread. “Eric was an amazing friend. He fought to rescue journalism and democracy, which need saving. ... Brutal to bad media on twitter, sweetest guy in real life. A terrible loss. We’ve lost an awesome human being, handsome/cool/witty dude who kicked ass on our behalf.”
MSNBC anchor Lawrence O’Donnell called Boehlert’s passing “deeply tragic.”
“Eric was brilliant and relentless,” he tweeted.
Boehlert previously worked for Billboard, Media Matters, Rolling Stone and Salon.
“We are heartbroken to share that our beloved friend and former colleague Eric Boehlert has passed away,” Media Matters said in a statement shared via Twitter. “His passing is a real loss for truth and will leave a void in the broader media landscape.”
“This is an awful loss,” tweeted author Mark Harris. “Eric Boehlert was a remarkable and staunch advocate for greater honesty in the press, a remarkable Twitter presence, and a man of conscience who knew how to call bull---- and who to call it on. Condolences to all who knew him.”
“Stunned by the news @EricBoehlert has passed away,” tweeted journalist Aaron Rupar. “I was just reading him yesterday and cited something he wrote in my newsletter. we can never take tomorrow for granted.”
Reports say Boehlert was fatally struck by an NJ Transit train in Montclair, an incident NJ Transit confirmed to the Daily News. A train struck a male cyclist Monday at about 9:40 p.m. in the Essex County township, about 20 miles northwest of New York City, NJ Transit told The News; it was unable to confirm the identity of the victim.
Montclair police did not immediately respond to The News’ request for comment.
Boehlert is survived by his wife, Tracy, and two children.
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