The sister of CNN host Don Lemon has died after she fell into a Louisiana pond and drowned while fishing.

L'Tanya 'Leisa' Lemon Grimes, 58, drowned in Denham Springs, just outside of Baton Rouge, on Wednesday afternoon.

The Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office say her death is being treated as an accident and they do not suspect foul play.

Lemon will not appear on CNN on Thursday night following the news of his sister's tragic death.

CNN host Don Lemon's older sister, L'Tanya 'Leisa' Lemon Grimes (right), drowned on Wednesday after she fell into a Louisiana pond while fishing. The siblings are pictured above with their mother Katherine (left)

'Thanks everyone for your words of sympathy. Please keep my family in your prayers. Leisa was my oldest sister & partner in crime growing up. Always had my back. #RIPbigSis,' Lemon tweeted alongside a photo of his sister.

CNN had earlier released a statement on behalf of Lemon's family.

'The Lemon/Grimes family would like to thank everyone for their condolences and prayers at this time,' the family said.

'Our family has suffered the tragic loss of L'Tanya 'Leisa' Lemon Grimes and we are leaning on each other for strength at this time. We appreciate privacy as we grieve the loss of our loved one.'

Lemon tweeted out a tribute to his older sister Leisa on Thursday saying she was his partner in crime growing up and 'always had my back'

Authorities were called to the area in Denham Springs, just outside of Baton Rouge, on Wednesday afternoon. Police believe she tripped and fell into the pond while fishing

Police were called to the scene at about 4pm on Wednesday following reports a woman had fallen into a neighborhood pond.

It appears that Grimes may have tripped and fallen into the water while fishing.

On Thursday, Lemon also tweeted a video of a group of children giving a breaking news report on how black excellence is at an all time high.

He accompanied the tweet with the caption: 'This lifted my spirits. I needed this today.'