New York Times journalist Blake Hounshell dead at 44 after 'courageous battle ... trends now New York Times journalist Blake Hounshell dead at 44: Father-of-two died suddenly after 'long and courageous battle with depression' NYT politics columnist Blake Hounshell died in Washington at the age of 44 Hounshell's death came 'after a long and courageous battle with depression' He was a top editor at Foreign Policy and Politico before joining the NYT By Neirin Gray Desai For Dailymail.Com Published: 14:16 GMT, 11 January 2023 | Updated: 14:26 GMT, 11 January 2023 Viewcomments A New York Times political journalist has died at 44 'after a long and courageous battle with depression,' his family said. Blake Hounshell, who was a top editor at Foreign Policy magazine and Politico before moving last year to The Times, passed away in Washington on Tuesday, leaving behind his wife, Sandy, and two children. A police official has said his death will be investigated as a suicide. Hounshell joined The Times in 2021 where he 'quickly distinguished himself as our lead politics newsletter writer and a gifted observer of our country's political scene,' Joseph Kahn, the Times's executive editor said in a letter to staff. 'We've lost a valuable colleague and this is a heartbreaking loss to our team.' New York Times journalist Blake Hounshell has died at 44 'after a long and courageous battle with depression,' his family said Hounshell was hired by The Times in 2021 and oversaw its newsletter 'On Politics' He was born in California in 1978 but grew up in Delaware and Pittsburgh, and graduated from Yale in 2002. His start in journalism came after spending time in Cairo, where he studied Arabic, and he was a finalist for the Livingston Awards for Young Journalists for his reporting on the Arab Spring. Between 2009 and 2013 he was a managing editor at Foreign Policy and oversaw its adaptation to the internet era. Hounshell then worked for eight years where he worked in a number of senior roles and as editor in chief of its magazine, which he started. He was hired at The Times to pioneer a newsletter - an increasingly popular medium that he had become experienced with at both Foreign Policy and Politico. 'The Times is making significant investments in newsletter talent,' wrote The Times when it announced it was hiring him. It added: 'Now, with a firehose of political news for our readers to make sense of each day, we're turning to an expert on both newsletters and political coverage, Blake Hounshell.' In his last On Politics newsletter, published on Monday, Hounshell looked at the death penalty in California and the political pressure the issue was exerting on its governor Gavin Newsom. On Friday he wrote about how the Republican party is struggling to draw younger voters. 'It is with great sorrow that we have to inform you that Blake has suddenly died his morning after a long and courageous battle with depression. His wife, Sandy, and two children are in our thoughts and prayers, and ask for respect and privacy at this time,' his family shared in a statement. Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility