Chicago sportscaster's death remains a mystery

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By Ty Tagami and Christian Boone

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Fulton County Medical Examiner said he'll need another two weeks to determine what caused the sudden death of Chicago sports anchor Daryl Hawks, found unresponsive in his hotel room Thursday morning.

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NBC Chicago Daryl Hawks, 38, an NBC Chicago sports anchor, was found dead in his Atlanta hotel room Thurday morning.

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The initial phases of the postmortem exam revealed "no obvious cause of death," Chief Medical Examiner Randy Hanzlick said Friday. Additional procedures, such as microscopic examination of tissues and toxicology testing, will be employed over the next couple of weeks.

Foul play is not suspected, Sgt. Curtis Davenport of the Atlanta Police Department said Thursday.

Hawks, in town to cover the NBA playoff series between Atlanta and Chicago, was discovered around 9:30 a.m. after missing a wake-up call at the Omni Hotel adjacent to Philips Arena, according to police. He was rushed to Emory University Hospital Midtown, where doctors pronounced him dead.

Hawks, 38, was physically active and appeared to be in good health.

"When Daryl isn’t covering sports, he’s usually out playing them," according to his bio. The former semi-pro running back and Marine played pick-up basketball, football and had just taken up golf. And he was a member of the Mayor's Council on Fitness and Exercise while employed in Jacksonville.

The three-time Emmy winner is survived by wife, Sandy, and two children.

"We are all stunned right now," said Frank Whittaker, Hawks' boss at WMAQ-TV in Chicago.