“RAW GOODBYE” As SHEINELLE JONES Faces HEARTACHE In LIVE Farewell To UCHE OJEH While TODAY Show Shares UNSEEN Moments Of GRIEF

The TODAY family is mourning the loss of Sheinelle Jones’s husband, Uche Ojeh, who passed away on Friday, May 23, following a battle with an aggressive type of brain cancer.

“With profound sadness, we share this morning that Uche Ojeh, the husband of our friend and TODAY co-host Sheinelle Jones, has passed away after a courageous battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer called glioblastoma,” Savannah Guthrie shared during the May 23 episode of TODAY.

“There are no words for the pain we feel for Sheinelle and their three young children,” Guthrie continued. “Uche was an incredible person. We all loved him. And so we want to take a moment to tell you more about the remarkable man who was Sheinelle’s perfect partner in life.”

Jones, who’s been away from the show since December 2024, expressed her gratitude for her TODAY family. “Thank you, for all of your love and support,” Jones wrote on Instagram.

“Love you Sheinelle…we wrap our arms around you now and forever!” Jones’ co-host Jenna Bush Hager commented on her post, as did Dylan Dreyer, who wrote: “Hoping you can find peace in the love and prayers that surround you and your incredible children. I’m so lucky to have known Uche and his spirit lives on in your family. Love you Sheinelle.”

“Uche was an extraordinary person,” Guthrie added on Instagram. “Full of light and heart and faith. Sheinelle, my dearest, we love you and the kids with all of our hearts. I marvel at your strength. You are surrounded by love now and forever.”

Jones and Ojeh were college sweethearts who first met in the late ’90s at Northwestern University. The couple got married on September 2, 2007 and welcomed three children together: son Kayin, 15, and fraternal twins Clara and Uche, 12.

Sheinelle Jones and Uche Ojeh smile on Friday, June 14, 2019. Photo: Nathan Congleton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

Why has Sheinelle Jones been absent from TODAY?

Earlier this year, Jones addressed her absence in a social media post, sharing that she was taking time away to “deal with a family health matter.”

“I sincerely appreciate all of you who have reached out while I’ve been absent from the show,” she wrote in January 2025. “I want to share with you that I’m taking time to deal with a family health matter. It’s not lost on me how lucky I am to have not only the support of my Today show family, but to also have all of you. Your kindness means so much to me. I’ll see you soon.”

 

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In recent months, her TODAY co-hosts have expressed their love and support. In April 2025, Craig Melvin shared that they’ve kept in touch with Jones. “We talk to her all the time,” Melvin said at the time. “We love our girl. It’s been nice to see how much everyone loves her, too.” Al Roker added, “We’re just praying for her.”

In May 2025, Dreyer gave another update, sharing that she talks to Jones frequently. “A week doesn’t go by where we’re not checking in, seeing how she’s doing,” she told Entertainment Tonight. “We pray for her all the time, we can’t wait for her to come back, so we’re just waiting for that day to come.”

TODAY certainly misses Jones captivating viewers in her areas of expertise. Jones earned a degree from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism and co-hosts TODAY’s third hour. She also hosts the “Wild Child” segments in NBC’s The More You Know programs, focusing on baby animals across the globe. Jones also executive produced Stories We Tell: The Fertility Secret, a documentary that highlights infertility among Black women.