WTOP evening anchor Dimitri Sotis, known for his deep, resonant voice that provided comfort and information to listeners in the D.C. region during storms, elections, and breaking news, has passed away at the age of 55.
“It is with profound sadness and shock that I share the news of our friend and colleague Dimitri Sotis’s passing,” wrote Joel Oxley, general manager of WTOP and president of Hubbard Radio Washington, D.C., in an email to staff early Sunday.
Sotis was found unresponsive in his Alexandria, Virginia, home late Saturday night.
For more than two decades, Sotis served as WTOP’s evening anchor, his distinctive voice a constant presence on weekdays from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. He reported on critical news impacting local communities, guided listeners through weather emergencies, and delivered breaking news, including coverage of the 2024 election. In addition to providing timely updates and developments, he offered valuable context and insights.
A skilled interviewer, Sotis conducted numerous live conversations with newsmakers, displaying genuine curiosity and professionalism. His thoughtful, cordial approach to probing questions consistently provided listeners with the information they needed.
Afternoon drive anchor Shawn Anderson highlighted Sotis’s brilliance during breaking news, saying, “He especially excelled in situations where you have to abandon the script and help listeners navigate through chaos and uncertainty.”
Sotis was part of the team honored with the 2012 National Edward R. Murrow Award for best large-market radio newscast, recognizing their coverage of the U.S. mission that resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden.
He joined WTOP in 1999, but his journalism journey began earlier. WTOP national security correspondent J.J. Green recalled meeting Sotis at a journalism conference in the early 1990s. After referring him for an internship at WMAL, where Green worked, Sotis began his career.
“A month later, he started working and never looked back,” Green said. “We’ve shared an incredible bond since that day, and I’ve watched him become the best in our industry. I often told him he was the greatest news anchor in America, and I truly believe that”.
