Former KHOU reporter found dead at home

Former KHOU reporter Brad Woodard was found dead in his home earlier this week. He was 51.

According to an obituary on KHOU's website, Woodard joined the station in 2006 and would continue reporting until March. The station called him an "old school" journalist who "was always quick to defend an underdog" in need. His two greatest passions, they said, were storytelling and animals.

Woodard previously worked for 16 years at a Gannett-owned NBC affiliate in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Before starting his career as a journalist, he was an officer in the United States Air Force. He received his journalism degree from the University of Georgia in 1984, while minoring in Russian and music.

KHOU reported that authorities discovered his body Wednesday morning after a relative called police to check on him when he failed to return several phone calls.

A cause of death has not been determined.

For more, go to KHOU: Remembering Brad Woodard