Pablo Guzmán, longtime New York City journalist, dies at 73; ‘Spoke truth to power’: Mayor Adams

Pablo Guzmán, beloved journalist and New York native, has died. He was 73.

Guzmán died Sunday morning, after years of covering crime, local politics, the courts and “his beloved New York Yankees.” CBS New York, where he most recently worked as a senior correspondent, confirmed his death on Monday.

“Pablo Guzmán was a son of the Bronx who spoke truth to power and held leaders to account,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement posted on X. “Our city is a better place because of the work he did and he will be truly missed. Rest in peace.”

A graduate of the Bronx High School of Science, Guzmán went on to attend the State University of New York at Old Westbury and then founded the Young Lords, a predominantly Puerto Rican revolutionary party based in New York, according to CBS. He also worked newspaper and radio jobs before nabbing a gig at WNEW-TV Channel 5 in 1984. Guzmán moved to WNBC in 1992, and then settled in at CBS 2, where he became a city news stalwart over the course of his 16-year tenure.

Guzmán was celebrated for his local coverage, specifically his focus on the members of the New York City community. He also reported on 9/11 and had a special interest in New York gangsters, particularly Gambino family crime boss John Gotti.

Guzmán additionally wrote for a series of publications, including the Village Voice, Billboard, Rolling Stone and the New York Daily News.

“His presence made even a sensational crime story a bigger deal, that Pablo Guzman was actually there,” editor Lori Burnette said.

CBS New York’s Tony Aiello echoed the sentiment, recalling his colleague’s special “combination of book smart and street smart.” He added: “I don’t think any reporter had the street cred that Pablo possessed.”

Guzmán leaves behind his wife Debbie, children Angela and Daniel, and his mother Sally.