© Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty ImagesFounder of the law firm Midwin Charles & Associates LLC and a Contributor at Essence Magazine Midwin Charles attends the Be Expo 2018 at Pennsylvania Convention Center on March 17, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Charles, a legal analyst for CNN an MSNBC, passed away on Tuesday.
Friends and colleagues have shared tributes on social media to Midwin Charles following her death at the age of 47. Charles was a defense attorney best known as a legal analyst for CNN and MSNBC, though she contributed to a wide variety of media, including Essence magazine.
Charles' family announced her passing on her Twitter account on Tuesday. No cause of death has yet been revealed. Those who knew and admired Charles have shared their thoughts.
"She was known to many as a legal commentator on television, but to us she was a devoted daughter, sister, aunt, niece and cousin. Our lives are forever changed and we will miss her for a lifetime," the family said.
"Midwin dear heart, you were a brilliant spirit and beautiful soul. You were such a blessing. I'm just stunned, and have been since I learned of this today," said MSNBC's Joy Reid.
"Blessings to your mom and family. To all, please live every moment like it's your last, and OVER-appreciate your friends," she said.
"This one hit really hard today. Rest in Power Sis @MidwinCharles," tweeted White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
Activist and lawyer Maya Wiley said she was "devastated." Wiley previously served as counsel to New York Mayor Bill de Blasio and has announced her intention to run for mayor of the city in 2021.
"Midwin Charles is someone I am deeply grateful to for her heart and her head. And she was someone I valued at MSNBC! My heart goes out to her family and we have all lost a Sister," Wiley said.
Berenice King, CEO of Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, said she was "saddened to learn of the death of Midwin Charles."
"My heart goes out to those mourning her here and to her family. From what people are sharing, her life was a light that brightened the way for others. Well-lived," King tweeted.
"I just heard about the loss of my friend Midwin Charles privately," said stand-up comedian Pete Dominick. "I'm so sorry to share this news. Midwin was a powerful brilliant voice for legal and political issues. She was brilliant and fearless and had the GREATEST laugh. Thank you for making us better. You did real good."
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"I just am sitting here in shock," tweeted author and journalist Sophia A. Nelson. " @MidwinCharles was truly authentic, kind, smart, helpful always to her fellow sisters. 47. That's years younger than me. Does anyone know what happened? Was she sick? This is just hard to take. My heart goes out to her mom and family. So sad."
"Beyond saddened to learn of the passing of @MidwinCharles," said columnist Jonathan Capehart. "What a terrific analyst and a kind soul. May she rest in peace."
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