Former Oklahoman reporter dies unexpectedly

Andrew Knittle, a former reporter for The Oklahoman, died unexpectedly in Texas on July 6.

He was 39. Knittle worked as a staff writer for The Oklahoman from September 2011 to October 2016, after previously working several months as an intern for the paper beginning in August 2008.

Knittle earned a reputation for writing hard-hitting stories on diverse topics ranging from opioid pill mill doctors to cellphone use by prison inmates.

“Andrew was such a talented reporter,” said Kelly Dyer Fry, editor and vice president of news & information for The Oklahoman. “He knew how to ask tough questions and break down the pertinent facts for our readers. He was a proud father and talked often about his two sons. We send our thoughts and prayers to his family.”

Knittle grew up in Bedford, Texas, and graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2008. He also worked stints for The Norman Transcript, the Shawnee News-Star and The Post and Courier in Charleston, South Carolina.

He is survived by his sons, Faroh, 15, and Julius, 12.

“I think he would want to be remembered for his writing in Oklahoma,” his ex-wife, Lauren O’Shea, was quoted as saying in the Norman Transcript. “Journalism was his passion and he really excelled at it. It was something that gave him a purpose in life.”