Discretion advised: This story involves details of a suicide.

Jennifer Eckhart, a former Fox Business associate producer whose 2020 lawsuit against then-Fox News anchor Ed Henry led to his firing and a years-long legal battle, has died by suicide. She was 36.

How and Where She Died

Eckhart was found dead at her home in Hobe Sound, Florida, on Saturday, September 19, according to an incident report from the Martin County Sheriff's Office obtained by People. Her mother found her dead inside a bathtub with a knife nearby, according to TMZ. Sheriff's office spokesperson Christine Christofek confirmed in a September 21 statement: "This death has been ruled a suicide."

A Documented Mental Health Crisis

Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek disclosed at a September 21 press conference that Eckhart had been detained six times over the previous 18 months under Florida's Baker Act, which allows individuals experiencing a severe mental health crisis to be involuntarily held for 72 hours. Budensiek said Eckhart had "spent a seven-week period in a mental health facility trying to get help for all her suicidal ideology" and had been out of that facility for only one week before her death. Investigators found she had stopped taking her medication and had written in a personal ledger, "I need to kill myself."

The Lawsuit Against Ed Henry

Eckhart, who worked at Fox for seven years, filed a lawsuit in June 2020, two weeks after being fired, alleging that colleague and Fox News anchor Ed Henry had "violently" raped and systematically abused her from 2014 to 2017. She alleged in the filing that Henry, "approximately twice Ms. Eckhart's age, preyed upon, manipulated and groomed" her, and separately claimed he took photos of her "for purposes of blackmail that could destroy her career." The lawsuit was filed alongside a second accuser, Cathy Areu, and also alleged Fox News had supported and promoted Henry despite prior complaints of sexually inappropriate behavior. Henry consistently denied the allegations, maintaining their relationship was consensual.

How Fox News Responded at the Time

Weeks before Eckhart's lawsuit was filed, Fox News launched a third-party investigation based on an employee complaint involving "willful sexual misconduct in the workplace," according to an internal company email obtained by CNN. The network subsequently terminated Henry, stating: "Based on investigative findings, Ed has been terminated." His attorney at the time said Henry was "confident that he will be vindicated after a full hearing in an appropriate forum."

A Restraining Order Ahead of Trial

Just weeks before the case was set to go to trial, Eckhart was granted an injunction for protection against stalking in a Florida court, requiring Henry to stay at least 500 feet away from her and her family and to relinquish any firearms. At the time, Eckhart said in a statement: "The predator who once thought he owned me is about to face the woman who can't be broken — this time, in front of a jury."

How the Case Ultimately Resolved

Eckhart's lawsuit was settled in 2025, one day before the case was scheduled to head to trial. Reflecting on the process at the time, she told People in June 2025: "This has been an exhaustive, retraumatizing, five-year legal battle with incredible challenges that at times I almost felt was unable to bear."

Life After Fox News

Following her departure from Fox, Eckhart launched a podcast called REINVENTED, interviewing prominent figures about how they rebuilt their lives and careers after significant setbacks. She was arrested last year on suspicion of battery in Palm Beach County after a video showed her attacking her boyfriend, Thomas Beasley, when he attempted to end their relationship. Her final Instagram post, on June 1, was upbeat in tone — she joked about gas prices and said she was happy to be back on social media, adding she was "working on some exciting stuff" she couldn't wait to share.

Where Ed Henry Is Now

Henry currently serves as chief news anchor at Newsmax, where he co-hosts the morning show American Sunrise on Real America's Voice. He divorced his wife, former CNN senior producer Shirley Hung, with whom he shares two children, and has since been dating Alana Stewart, Rod Stewart's ex-wife.

Support Resources

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available. You can call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at any time to speak with a trained listener, or visit 988lifeline.org to chat online.

For continuing coverage, see the full E! News report.