Susannah Frame Biography: Chief Investigative Reporter & Journalist | KING-TV

Susannah Frame is the Chief Investigative Reporter and Head of Journalism Development at KING-TV in Seattle, Washington. She is a multi-award-winning journalist whose work has focused on exposing various injustices and systemic failures.

Career and Reporting

Prior to her time at KING 5, Frame worked as a consumer reporter and weekend anchor at KREM-TV in Spokane, a documentary producer in New York City, and a reporter and anchor at WFRV-TV in Green Bay, Wisconsin. She also worked as a reporter at KNDO-TV in Yakima.

Notable Investigations:

• “Mentally Ill, Waiting in Jail” (2023): Exposed systemic failures in mental health treatment for incarcerated individuals.

• “Skagit: River of Light and Loss” (2022): Revealed environmental harm from hydroelectric dams and tribal treaty violations.

• “Facing Race” (2021): Tackled systemic racism in the Pacific Northwest, earning national acclaim.

Her investigations have led to numerous policy changes, federal indictments, and new state laws. Some of her notable work has exposed:

• The violation of treaty rights of indigenous peoples in the Pacific Northwest.

• Homeland security breaches.

• Injustices faced by injured workers and people with disabilities.

• The mismanagement of nuclear waste at the Hanford Nuclear Site.

• Government waste and real estate fraud.

As the Head of Journalism Development, she is responsible for working with reporters, anchors, and producers to improve their skills.

She develops curriculums on topics such as writing, story structure, and long-form storytelling. Frame is also a frequent guest lecturer for groups like the Investigative Reporters & Editors and the Society of Professional Journalists.

Awards and Recognition

Frame has received many of the most prestigious national awards for journalism, including:

• 3 George Foster Peabody Awards

• 3 National Edward R. Murrow Awards

• duPont-Columbia University Award

• National Emmy Award

• Scripps Howard Award

• Multiple Regional Emmy Awards

• National Headliner Awards

• Society of Environmental Journalists Award

Her work has led to:

• Federal indictments

• Congressional and DOJ investigations

• New state laws and policy reforms.

Professional Affiliations

• Frequent lecturer for:

• • Investigative Reporters & Editors (IRE)
  • Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)
  • University of Washington

• Serves on the board of SPJ’s Western Washington Chapter

Susannah Frame Age:

Susannah Frame was born on May 14 and is estimated to be in her late 50s to early 60s as of 2025, based on her career beginning in the late 1980s. Her zodiac sign is Taurus. She is of White ethnicity and holds American nationality.

Susannah Frame Parents and Siblings:

Susannah Frame was born and raised in the United States. Details about her upbringing and parents remain private and undisclosed.

She has three siblings: two brothers and one sister. Notably, her grandmother, centenarian Fritzi Bryant, who lived through the 1918 Spanish flu, has been featured in Frame’s reporting sharing advice during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Susannah Frame Husband:

Susannah Frame, the chief investigative reporter for KING 5 in Seattle, is married but keeps her personal life private. Her husband’s name, age, and occupation are not publicly disclosed in available sources. She and her husband have two children.

Susannah Frame Height:

Susannah Frame is estimated to stand around 5 feet 6 inches (167 cm) tall and weighs approximately 130 to 140 pounds (59–64 kg).

She has a medium build, complemented by her blonde hair and blue eyes, which contribute to her polished and professional on-screen presence.

Susannah Frame KING 5 Career Timeline:

Early Career (Pre-1992)

Susannah Frame’s career began in an unconventional way for a journalist, serving as a production assistant for CBS Sports.

This role, while not on-air, provided a foundational understanding of the television industry and live production. In 1988, she transitioned to on-air journalism as a reporter at KNDO-TV in Yakima, Washington.

This marked the start of her visible career, where she began honing her reporting skills. She then moved to the Midwest, working as a reporter and anchor at WFRV-TV in Green Bay, Wisconsin, from June 1988 to July 1989.

Following that, around 1990-1991, she held a dual role in different locations, serving as a consumer reporter and weekend anchor at KREM-TV in Spokane, Washington, while also working as a documentary producer in New York City.

This varied experience, from local news to national-level documentary production, laid the groundwork for her future investigative work. She is a graduate of the University of Washington with degrees in both Journalism and Spanish, which provided her with a strong academic foundation.

KING 5 Career (1992-Present)

Since joining KING 5 in Seattle in January 1992, Susannah Frame has carved out a significant career as a leading investigative journalist.

Her early years at KING 5 saw her as a general assignment reporter and anchor before she was promoted to Chief Investigative Reporter.

Later, she took on additional leadership responsibilities as the Head of Journalism Development and Reporting Coach.

As of September 2025, she has also served as the Interim News Director. Her career at KING 5 is defined by her impactful and award-winning investigations that have led to tangible change.

Key Investigations and Their Impact

• “Back of the Class”: This year-long series earned her a national Emmy Award. It exposed how Washington state was lagging behind the rest of the country in providing services to children in special education. The reporting highlighted systemic failures in the education system and drew attention to the needs of this vulnerable population.

• “No Eyes on the Disabled”: This investigation had an immediate legislative impact, leading to the creation of a new state law designed to provide better protections for adults with intellectual disabilities. The series brought to light the lack of oversight and care, prompting policymakers to take action.

• “Last of the Institutions”: A multi-award-winning series, this work exposed how Washington state’s continued reliance on institutions for people with developmental disabilities was out of step with national trends. The reporting showed how unnecessary segregation of the disabled was a civil rights violation, earning her a National Headliner Award and a Legacy Award from the ARC of King County.

• “Facing Race”: This groundbreaking series earned a prestigious Peabody Award. As a content editor for the project, Susannah Frame contributed to an investigation that delved into systemic racism and its impact on the Pacific Northwest. The series examined issues such as health disparities, environmental racism, and the history of land and treaties with Native American communities.

Notable Colleagues at KING-TV (KING 5)

Throughout her career at KING-TV, Susannah Frame has worked alongside several respected journalists who have shaped the station’s reputation for excellence:

• Chris Ingalls – An investigative reporter who specializes in criminal justice, fraud, and government accountability.

• Taylor Mirfendereski – An investigative journalist focusing on social justice, education, and health-related investigations.

• Glenn Farley – A former aviation and transportation reporter who collaborated on stories about infrastructure and public safety.

• Lori Matsukawa – A longtime anchor and reporter (now retired), known for her community-focused reporting and lasting impact on Seattle journalism.

• Mark Wright – An anchor and reporter who covers major regional developments and breaking news.

• Joyce Taylor – An evening news anchor who leads nightly broadcasts and contributes to special coverage.

• Jake Whittenberg – A morning anchor recognized for his energetic delivery and strong community engagement.

Susannah Frame Net Worth and Salary:

Susannah Frame’s net worth is estimated between $1 million and $5 million, derived primarily from her long-standing journalism career. Her annual salary as Chief Investigative Reporter at KING 5 is estimated at $75,000–$95,000, reflecting her expertise and tenure in the field.

Is Susannah Frame Married?

Yes, Susannah Frame is married. She is happily married with two sons and a black lab named Dewey, after her grandfather, though details about her husband remain private.

How Old Is Susannah Frame?

Susannah Frame is approximately 58–62 years old as of September 2025, inferred from her career timeline beginning in the late 1980s.

Where is Susannah Frame working?

Susannah Frame is currently working at KING 5 News, the NBC affiliate in Seattle, Washington, where she serves as the Chief Investigative Reporter and Head of Journalism Development. She leads the station’s investigative unit and mentors journalists in advanced storytelling and reporting techniques.

Susannah Frame is active on social media, mainly sharing her investigative work and newsroom updates.

• X (Twitter)

• Facebook

• Instagram

She keeps her personal life private and rarely posts family-related content.