CNN's Kate Bolduan Sheds Tears After Father Of Charlottesville Victim Speaks

Jenna Amatulli
Updated

CNN’s Kate Bolduan teared up on-air after a poignant and heartbreaking speech by the father of Heather Heyer, the 32-year-old killed in the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, over the weekend.

Mark Heyer made a powerful speech about his daughter’s life at her memorial service on Wednesday morning, saying, “She loved people. She wanted equality. She wanted to put down hate.”

While shifting to a discussion of the remarks, Bolduan’s voice cracked as she introduced contributor and former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter.

Nutter, also clearly affected by the speech, said he has a 34-year-old son and a 22-year-old daughter and “cannot even imagine what Mr. Heyer is feeling right now.” Nutter also called the deadly violence in Charlottesville a “nightmare.”

As Nutter spoke, Bolduan was visibly upset. It did not go unnoticed by viewers, many of whom tweeted their support for Bolduan’s show of emotion:

“We’re passionate about our children and we’re often passionate about what they’re passionate about. I think the message he tried to deliver there at the end, about the love, is not just a throwaway kind of thing ... He’s really communicating a national message for where we are,” Nutter added.

Bolduan wasn’t the only CNN personality to share their sadness on-air this week. Van Jones, host of CNN’s “The Messy Truth,” also got weepy while speaking with Anderson Cooper on Tuesday.

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Some on social media have criticized Jones and Bolduan for their emotions, but there’s no question that what happened in Charlottesville is a tragedy.

Also on HuffPost

A man wears a purple ribbon to remember Heather Heyer, who was killed protesting during a white supremacist rally, as he arrives for her memorial service at the Paramount Theater in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Aug. 16, 2017.
A man wears a purple ribbon to remember Heather Heyer, who was killed protesting during a white supremacist rally, as he arrives for her memorial service at the Paramount Theater in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Aug. 16, 2017.
The Paramount Theater marquee bears the name of Heather Heyer. 
The Paramount Theater marquee bears the name of Heather Heyer. 
Heather Heyer's mother, Susan Bro, walks by a picture of her daughter after speaking at her memorial service.
Heather Heyer's mother, Susan Bro, walks by a picture of her daughter after speaking at her memorial service.
Mourners gather inside the Paramount Theater. 
Mourners gather inside the Paramount Theater. 
Heather Heyer's father, Mark Heyer, speaks at her memorial service.
Heather Heyer's father, Mark Heyer, speaks at her memorial service.
Mourners inside the Paramount Theater wear purple, as Heyer's family had requested. Purple was her favorite color.
Mourners inside the Paramount Theater wear purple, as Heyer's family had requested. Purple was her favorite color.
People line up to attend the memorial service. 
People line up to attend the memorial service. 
Marcus Martin (center), who was injured in the same car attack that killed Heyer, leaves the memorial service.
Marcus Martin (center), who was injured in the same car attack that killed Heyer, leaves the memorial service.
Anna Quillon hands out purple pieces of cloth outside the memorial service.
Anna Quillon hands out purple pieces of cloth outside the memorial service.
People wore stickers and ribbons to the memorial service. 
People wore stickers and ribbons to the memorial service. 
A poster announcing the memorial service.
A poster announcing the memorial service.
Mia Jones shows off the "NO H8" message written on her hands.
Mia Jones shows off the "NO H8" message written on her hands.
Outside the service, people carry guns to provide security in the event of far-right protesters.
Outside the service, people carry guns to provide security in the event of far-right protesters.
A person tapes a note to the front door of a bookstore to announce that it will close during the memorial service for Heather Heyer.
A person tapes a note to the front door of a bookstore to announce that it will close during the memorial service for Heather Heyer.
A man puts on a purple ribbon while waiting in line. 
A man puts on a purple ribbon while waiting in line. 
People carry bats and shields to provide security.
People carry bats and shields to provide security.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.