Multiple sources tell us that New York Daily News editor Martin Dunn is stepping down. The newsroom was just notified. He's citing "family reasons" for his departure. Dunn's departure memo, after the jump. [Updated below].

Here is Dunn's oddly brusque memo to the NYDN staff:

To: Editorial All
Sent: Tue Jul 20 11:40:55 2010
Subject: From Martin Dunn

After seven years, I am leaving the Daily News to devote time to dealing with a personal family issue. Later this year, when that issue is resolved, it is my intention to take advantage of some exciting offers in new areas of the media.

Since 2003, the Daily News has achieved many notable successes, including the ground-breaking Stadium magazine series and winning another Pulitzer for the 9/11 rescue worker campaign.

It has also been rewarding to see the Daily News become one of the most modern full-color newspapers in America.

Martin Dunn
Editor-in-Chief & Deputy Publisher
New York Daily News

We hear that rumors are already flying in the newsroom as to alternate possible explanations.

UPDATE: Martin Dunn tells us that his departure is due to his wife's cancer.

UPDATE 2: From a NYDN press release that just went out:

Veteran Journalist Kevin R. Convey has been appointed editor-in-chief to succeed Martin Dunn. He has been the editor-in-chief of the Boston Herald for the last 3 1/2 years and has had a career spanning 33 years in which he started off as a general assignment reporter and then worked political, investigative and magazine beats and served as city editor, Sunday editor and managing editor.

[Pic via. Know more? Email me]