The Real Reason Samantha Jones Left KMOV: A 'Nervous System Reset' And New Career Path

The question "What happened to Samantha Jones from KMOV?" has been a major topic of discussion among St. Louis news viewers, particularly since her unexpected and prolonged absence from the anchor desk. As of December 20, 2025, the popular First Alert 4 anchor is no longer regularly appearing on KMOV, having stepped away from her high-profile role for an extended leave of absence that has now transitioned into a clear new professional chapter. Her departure was not a typical move to a rival station or a retirement announcement, but rather a deeply personal decision to prioritize her mental health and pursue a new passion. Jones, who is married to former St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) CEO Neil Richardson, has since established a new identity as a writer, sharing raw, personal essays on a dedicated online platform, suggesting a permanent shift away from the demands of broadcast journalism.

Samantha Jones: Biography and Career Profile

Samantha Jones was a highly respected and recognizable figure in St. Louis media, known for anchoring KMOV's main evening newscasts. Her career in broadcast journalism was marked by a commitment to local news and a rapid rise to a principal anchor position.

• Full Name: Samantha Jones (now Samantha Richardson, following marriage).
• Estimated Age: Circa 33 years old (Born c. 1992).
• Education: Graduate of the University of Arkansas (U of A).
• KMOV Role: Principal Co-Anchor on weekday evenings for KMOV Channel 4 News (now First Alert 4).
• Husband: Neil Richardson, former President and CEO of the St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC).
• Departure Status: Took a Leave of Absence (LOA) for mental health/personal reasons.

The Unexpected Leave: Mental Health and a "Nervous System Reset"

The initial news of Samantha Jones's absence from KMOV's evening broadcasts—including the highly-rated 4 p.m., 5 p.m., and 6 p.m. slots—caused immediate public speculation. Unlike a typical anchor change, there was no formal farewell or announcement of a new job. Instead, Jones took to her personal social media channels to explain her need for a break.

The anchor described her leave as a "nervous system reset" and a necessary step to address her mental health. This transparent and candid explanation resonated with many viewers, offering a rare glimpse into the pressures of a demanding career in local news.

While KMOV (First Alert 4) initially indicated that her absence was a temporary Leave of Absence (LOA) and that she was expected to return, her time away has been prolonged, with other anchors filling in for her on the main desk for many months.

A Dual Factor: Husband's Career Shift and a Move

Complicating the narrative of a simple mental health break was a significant change in her personal life that occurred around the same time. This development strongly suggests that her leave was not just about health, but also about a geographical and lifestyle change.

Samantha Jones is married to Neil Richardson, who held a very prominent position in the St. Louis community as the President and CEO of the St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC). In a related move, Richardson "mutually agreed to part ways" with the SLDC, a move often associated with pursuing a new professional opportunity out of state.

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The simultaneous nature of Jones’s leave and Richardson's departure from his St. Louis role fueled speculation among local media observers that the couple was relocating. For a principal anchor at a major market station like KMOV, a partner's out-of-state career move is frequently a catalyst for a resignation, even if the official reason given is personal.

The New Chapter: Samantha Richardson's Life as a Writer

The most concrete evidence of Samantha Jones’s new direction—and the unlikelihood of her return to the KMOV anchor desk—is her new career as a writer.

She has launched a personal writing platform on Substack under her married name, Samantha Richardson, using the handle @sjbodyofwork. This platform is a significant pivot from the fast-paced, objective world of daily news.

Her writing is deeply personal and reflective, focusing on essays about "my body — how it breaks, bends," and exploring themes of mental health, personal struggles, and self-discovery. Recent articles include titles like "The Moon That Remembers" and "The Year Between Moons."

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This new endeavor as a personal essayist and author, which she is actively promoting and maintaining, represents a complete shift in vocation. It provides her with the "nervous system reset" she sought, allowing her to step away from the relentless cycle of broadcast news and focus on her well-being and creative expression.

While KMOV has not made a formal announcement of her resignation, the combination of a prolonged leave, her husband's departure from his St. Louis post, and her public embrace of a new, full-time creative career under a new name all point to the same conclusion: Samantha Jones has moved on from her role as a First Alert 4 anchor to a new, more personal and fulfilling path as Samantha Richardson, the writer.

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