The Untold Story: 5 Key Facts About What Happened To Lin Sue And Sean Cooney After The 12 News Exit

The public curiosity surrounding the lives of former Arizona news anchor Lin Sue Cooney and her husband, Sean Cooney, remains high, especially concerning their major career shifts and a high-profile legal incident. As of late December 2025, the couple has moved on from the spotlight of local television news, with Lin Sue dedicating her life to non-profit work and Sean continuing his career in sports media, navigating life after a challenging legal battle that captured local headlines years ago. This article provides the most current and definitive facts about their lives, career transitions, and the outcome of the incident that forever changed their public narrative. Their story is a compelling blend of professional success, personal transition, and the resilience required to weather a public storm. Lin Sue Cooney, a fixture on Phoenix television for over three decades, made a dramatic career pivot, while the search term "what happened to Lin Sue and Sean Cooney" is often driven by the lingering questions about a serious incident involving her husband. The answers reveal a family focused on community, new careers, and a quiet life away from the daily news cycle.

Lin Sue and Sean Cooney: Complete Biographical Profile

Lin Sue Cooney and Sean Cooney have maintained a relatively private life despite their connections to public-facing careers in media. Here is a detailed look at their key biographical and professional details:

• Lin Sue Cooney (née Black):
  • Born: September 1958 (Age 67 as of 2025)
  • Education: Master’s degree in Journalism from the prestigious Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
  • Career Highlights (Former): Longtime News Anchor at 12 News/KPNX in Phoenix, Arizona, for 31 years.
  • Current Role (Post-2015): Director of Community Engagement for Hospice of the Valley (HOV).
  • Parents: Howard and Shu Mea Black.
• Sean Cooney:
  • Profession: Freelance Sports Cameraman.
  • Relationship Status: Married to Lin Sue Cooney (Strong, happy marriage).
  • Notable Event: Involved in a 2007 boating accident that resulted in a fatality and subsequent legal charges.
• Family:
  • Children: Four children (two daughters and twin boys).
  • Notable Child: Daughter Peng Shepherd, a critically acclaimed author known for novels like *The Book of M*.
  • Grandchildren: They also have a granddaughter.

Lin Sue Cooney's Dramatic Career Pivot: From News Anchor to Hospice Leader

Lin Sue Cooney's decision to leave the anchor desk at 12 News (KPNX-TV Channel 12) in 2015 was a major story in the Phoenix media market. After more than three decades delivering the news, she chose a path of deep community service.

The Transition to Hospice of the Valley

In August 2015, Lin Sue stepped away from her high-profile role as a news anchor to join the executive team at Hospice of the Valley (HOV). She now serves as the Director of Community Engagement, a role that perfectly aligns with her lifelong passion for writing and her strong faith. * A New Mission: Her work involves sharing the stories of HOV, fundraising, and connecting the organization with the community, utilizing the same communication skills she honed on television. * A Personal Calling: Cooney's shift was motivated by a desire to focus on "life’s greatest blessings," which she considers to be her family and her faith, and to apply her talents to a more direct form of public service. * Lasting Legacy: Her time at 12 News left an indelible mark, with colleagues expressing how dearly she would be missed, recognizing her significant contribution to Arizona journalism.

The Definitive Answer: What Happened with Sean Cooney's Boating Accident Case

The most searched and sensitive aspect of the Cooneys' public life revolves around the legal charges faced by Sean Cooney, Lin Sue's husband, following a tragic boating accident. The incident, which occurred in 2007, resulted in the death of a friend and led to charges being filed against Sean Cooney. The intense media coverage and public scrutiny at the time fueled speculation and confusion about the final outcome of the case.

Key Outcome of the Legal Proceedings

The primary question—was Sean Cooney convicted of the most serious charges?—has a clear answer based on court records and subsequent reporting: * Acquittal on Major Charges: Sean Cooney was not convicted on the most severe charges, such as manslaughter or negligent homicide, related to the fatality. * Conviction on Lesser Charge: He was, however, convicted of Boating Under the Influence (BUI). * Sentence: For the BUI conviction, Sean Cooney was sentenced to 30 days in jail and ordered to pay a $500 fine. This outcome addresses the core of the "what happened" query, confirming that while he faced serious charges related to the accident, the final legal finding focused on the BUI offense.

Life Today: Family, Writing, and Community Engagement

The Cooneys have successfully navigated the challenges of a public crisis and significant career changes, settling into a life focused on family and impactful work in the Phoenix area.

The Cooney Family Legacy and Peng Shepherd

Lin Sue Cooney often speaks about the joy of motherhood and her four children. Her daughter, Peng Shepherd, has emerged as a successful writer, publishing critically acclaimed novels in the speculative fiction genre. This artistic success reflects a family environment that values communication and storytelling, a trait Lin Sue herself credits to her own career path.

Lin Sue’s Enduring Public Presence

While she left the daily news grind, Lin Sue Cooney remains a highly visible and respected figure in the Valley of the Sun. Her work with Hospice of the Valley involves frequent public appearances, speaking engagements, and fundraising efforts, ensuring her expertise and familiar face continue to benefit the Arizona community. She is an active participant in numerous philanthropic events, often using her platform to advocate for compassionate care and community support. In short, "what happened to Lin Sue and Sean Cooney" is a story of a respected news family who transitioned out of the daily media cycle. Lin Sue found her calling in non-profit executive leadership, and Sean continued his freelance media career, with the legal shadow of a past accident resolved through a conviction for BUI, allowing the couple to focus on their family and their new, quieter life in Phoenix.

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