Sheinelle Jones' husband Uche Ojeh dies aged 45 after battle with brain cancer

Sheinelle Jones' husband, Uche Ojeh, has tragically passed away at the age of 45 after a battle with brain cancer.

The NBC program shared the devastating news on Friday, May 23, that Ojeh had sadly lost his fight against the disease. Savannah Guthrie announced on the TODAY show,"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.

"There are no words for the pain we feel for Sheinelle and their three young children. 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," Guthrie added.

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According to sources close to the New York Post, Ojeh was in hospice care before his passing and put up a "brave fight."

Jones revealed in mid-January that she would be temporarily stepping away from the third hour of TODAY due to "a family health matter," reports the Irish Star.

She made the announcement on Instagram, explaining her absence since December 18. Jones has been a part of NBC News since 2014.

"Hi everybody ... I sincerely appreciate all of you who have reached out while I've been absent from the show," the 46 year old reporter wrote at the time. "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," she expressed gratitude before wrapping up with a heartfelt "I'll see you soon" and signing off with "Love, Sheinelle."

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At the time Sheinelle Jones shared her statement on Instagram, insiders informed PEOPLE that the family health issue she was dealing with was "serious."

In April, her Today co-hosts provided an update to the audience. Access Hollywood's stand-in reporter Emily Orozco inquired about Jones, "Have you guys been in touch with Sheinelle? We miss her, we hope she's doing well."

Craig Melvin assured, "Just talked to her a couple of days ago, as you know. She's taking some time to be with her family. We talk to her all the time and we love our girl. It's been nice to see how much everyone else loves her too."

Al Roker added his thoughts, "Exactly. We're just praying for her" while Dylan Dreyer mentioned, "She misses being here, you know, she wishes she was here with us but she's doing what she needs to do and she'll be back."

Jones first encountered Ojeh at Northwestern University back in the late 1990s when she was an 18 year old freshman and he was a visiting high school senior. Jones volunteered to give him a tour of the campus, which marked the beginning of their relationship.

The pair dated for eight years until Ojeh popped the question at their alma mater. The couple exchanged vows in September 2007 in Philadelphia, Jones' birthplace. They welcomed their firstborn son, Kayin, in August 2009 and twins, son Uche and daughter Clara in July 2012.

In the article on the TODAY show that announced his passing, it was shared that Ojeh's "deep sense of faith were his guiding forces."

He was also an avid soccer player and a member of the church choir. It was further mentioned that he was deeply connected to his Nigerian heritage and instilled this devotion in his children, providing them with a profound connection to their cultural roots.

Jones expressed in 2022 the importance she placed on her children being connected to their Nigerian roots as well: "I think it is important to my husband that my kids are brought up knowing his side and his culture. So, I actually am happy that every year - and even more than every year, whenever we get together - they get new native wear because as they continue to grow, they continue to get new outfits.

"One thing he always talked about - he talked about those kids," Melvin said on TODAY about Ojeh. "He loved those kids more than anything else in this world, and was just so proud. He was that dad that was on the sideline at every soccer game. He was at all the concerts, the recitals. He was that guy, and they had such a beautiful love story."