About Lauren

Lauren Defranco is an Emmy-nominated, award-winning journalist, investigative reporter, writer and artist. As a correspondent for WABC TV eyewitness news, Lauren covered national stories such as 911, domestic terrorism and Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Washington DC. She has also covered groundbreaking local news stories like immigration, the hunt for the Long Island Serial Killer and TWA Flight 800. 

For the last several years Lauren has been writing about her travels in the news business in a semi-autobiographical memoir. She has also taken a deep dive into the Gilgo Beach case, the arrest of alleged serial killer Rex Heuermann and has attended nearly ever hearing, press conference and even a symposium on the case. True Crime has always been a passion of Lauren’s and her reporting contributed to the exoneration of Martin Tankleff, who was released from prison after 17 years of being falsely accused of killing his parents.  She also reported on the murder of Ted Ammon in East Hampton, and more recently won the Long Island Press Club award for her commentary on the federal trial and subsequent conviction of Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano.

Lauren has displayed her artwork in various venues, including a virtual art Gallery in her hometown of Danbury Connecticut. She was a featured artist in an even for the Joyful Heart Foundation with raises awareness for victims of domestic violence, child abuse and seeks to end violence forever. In addition to artwork, Lauren is an accomplished piano player and enjoys all forms of art, music and dance. 

Lauren studied Journalism and Communications at the University of Connecticut and attended graduate studies at New York Institute of Technology.