Page Pate, a criminal defense attorney and CNN legal contributor, died in a tragic drowning accident off of St. Simons Island, located in the southeastern region of the state of Georgia, on Sunday afternoon.
He was 55.
According to The Brunswick News, Pate and his teenage son were swimming at Gould’s Inlet when rip currents swept the two into open waters. His son managed to make it back to shore, but Pate had to be rescued by water rescue personnel—who immediately performed CPR on him before transporting him to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Pate was a partner at Pate, Johnson & Church, which had offices in Atlanta and Brunswick, Ga. He was also a founding member of the Georgia Innocence Project, a nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals convicted of crimes they did not commit in the state of Georgia.
Pate provided legal analysis for a variety of CNN programs across dayparts. According to a TVEyes search, his most recent CNN appearance was Saturday, Sept. 10 on the Boris Sanchez-led edition of CNN Newsroom. He died the following morning.
Pate was also a legal analyst for NPR as well as other national and local media outlets.
Current and former CNN anchors and staffers paid tribute to him on-air and via social media.
CNN contributor and constitutional law attorney Page Pate has died at 55. Pate died after being swept out into a rip current off the coast of St. Simons Island, Georgia, Glynn County Fire-Rescue Acting Chief Vinnie DiCristofalo told CNN. https://t.co/HsJYfcxmFW
— CNN (@CNN) September 13, 2022
In memory of our friend and CNN contributor Page Pate. May his memory be a blessing. Thinking of his wife Elizabeth, his sons Chatham and Asher, his parents Robert and Mary Elizabeth and his brother Lane. https://t.co/UrQcYD9fZX
— Poppy Harlow (@PoppyHarlowCNN) September 14, 2022
Heartbreaking news – @pagepate was always a gentleman and the fairest, most insightful of legal minds. My most heartfelt thoughts to his family. https://t.co/2wCoH6zoI7
— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) September 13, 2022
Devastating.@PagePate was a brilliant mind who was a force in the courtroom—but had a special talent as an analyst for making complicated legal topics easier for all of us to understand
But above all of that, Page was kind and generous …
He will be greatly missed. RIP https://t.co/5h3zEgGnoI— Dianne Gallagher (@DianneG) September 13, 2022
Page was a friend and a brilliant legal voice, but beyond that he was a genuinely good person. What a lovely man. Please pray for his family. https://t.co/z8Jp4abXUU @pagepate
— Nick Valencia (@CNNValencia) September 13, 2022
I know you remember CNN legal analyst Page Pate—this news breaks my heart and I pray for his family/children.
Page was a man of true character & strength, smart analysis, wit & faith. He always taught us something. I’m grateful to have called him friend https://t.co/O24eQyoBQ5— Christi Paul (@Christi_Paul) September 14, 2022
Very sad news. Page Pate was always the nicest guy with such a brilliant legal mind every time I got to guest greet for him at the CNN Headquarters in Atlanta. My deepest condolences and thoughts and prayers go out to his family. https://t.co/lDZkW3esdw
— Christian Sierra (@CSierra92) September 14, 2022
Atlanta attorney and frequent CNN guest Page Pate dies in swimming accident off Georgia coast https://t.co/KpjjMcxp0c
— Wynn Westmoreland (@WynnWs) September 14, 2022
I am gutted and shocked by the sudden loss of Page Pate. He was a great legal mind and an absolute pleasure to work with. What a loss. Sending prayers of comfort to his family and friends. https://t.co/WHq8RSMzmN
— Vanessa Rumbles (@VanessaRumbles) September 13, 2022
Heartbreaking news. Page Pate was a frequent guest on CNN. I learned so much about the law through his keen and insightful analysis over the years. May his memory be a blessing. Atlanta attorney Page Pate dies in drowning accident off St. Simons Island https://t.co/YXy3mON6Jt
— Nadia Lancy (Proeller) (@NadiaLancyCNN) September 13, 2022
Pate is survived by his wife and two sons.