Missing Local TV Station Employee, 34, Found Dead from Apparent Suicide: 'We Don't Have All the Answers'

• Kevin Spencer, who worked at NBC Chicago affiliate WMAQ, was last seen on Friday, Jan. 24, authorities said

• His sister told WMAQ that she was notified that her brother did not show up for work on Monday, Jan. 27

• "I think some of the folks that work with him on a regular basis, they knew something was wrong early in the day," Kevin Cross, president and general for NBCU Local Chicago, said

An employee at NBC’s Chicago affiliate who went missing last week has died of an apparent suicide, according to a statement from his family.

NBC affiliate WMAQ announced the death of Kevin Spencer, 34, who worked in the station’s IT department, on Wednesday, Jan. 29.

The station shared a statement from Spencer's family, who requested privacy at this time.

"Thank you all for your help and concern in trying to find Kevin,” read the statement. “It is with a heavy heart that I share that he is no longer with us. While we don’t have all the answers, we ask for privacy and respect as we process this devastating loss. Please keep his loved ones in your thoughts during this difficult time."

In an email to PEOPLE on Wednesday, the Chicago Police Department said the case remains an open investigation.

"We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our beloved colleague, Kevin Spencer," said Kevin Cross, president and general manager of NBCUniversal Local Chicago.

He add that Spencer "was a respected and dedicated teammate who made sure he was always there to help us 24/7 with his signature calm, kind approach."

"We will miss him more than words can express. Kevin’s family has asked for privacy and respect at this time as they process this devastating loss," he continued. "On behalf of everyone at NBCUniversal Local Chicago, we send out our deepest sympathies to Kevin’s family, friends and colleagues. He will always have a special place in our hearts."

According to a missing persons flyer previously shared by the police, Spencer, of Lakeview, was last seen on Friday, Jan. 24.

As WMAQ previously reported, Spencer had not shown up for work this week, which concerned his family and friends.

"We talked for about an hour on the phone and the conversation went real well,” Jennifer Brinkley, Spencer’s sister, told the news station that she last spoke to her brother on Monday, Jan. 20.

“We basically just talked about my laptop, getting photos off of that, but we just talked about day-to-day life and, you know, about how he's pursuing school constantly. And it was just normal conversation about Kevin continuously pursuing his career," Brinkley added.

Brinkley also told WMAQ that she was notified that Spencer had not reported for work on Monday, Jan. 27, adding that his scooter was still at his home.

"I believe they said that he didn't even call in for work and to let them know that he was not going to be there. And that's just not like my brother whatsoever," she said. "My brother would have definitely let the company know if he was sick or if he was unable to attend."

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.  

His family was reportedly unable to reach him. According to WMAQ’s follow-up report, Spencer was seen on Thursday, Jan. 24 leaving Chicago’s NBC Tower at approximately 6:00 p.m. local time.

PEOPLE contacted WMAQ for comment on Wednesday.

The station had previously expressed concern for Spencer in a news broadcast and asked viewers with information on his possible whereabouts to contact Chicago Police. 

"I think some of the folks that work with him on a regular basis, they knew something was wrong early in the day," said Kevin Cross, president and general for NBCU Local Chicago, WMAQ reported.

Cross added, "You know, Kevin's the type of person who's very diligent, very good with attention to detail. And if he's ever late by a couple of minutes to come into work, he'll call his manager and say, 'Hey, I'm running two or three minutes behind.' ”

“And so one, he didn't do that,” Cross continued. “And then two, he was not here. And I think good on his managers to say that, 'Something's not right. This is out of character for Kevin.' "

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.

Read the original article on People