Fiance Honors Slain NBC Reporter Eliana Moreno in Heartfelt Tribute
Robert Barrientos remembers his late fiancée, Eliana Moreno, who died in a Los Angeles helicopter crash, as a passionate journalist and loving partner.
Robert Barrientos has shared a heartfelt tribute to his fiancée, NBC reporter Eliana Moreno, who died in a helicopter crash in Los Angeles on September 15. Barrientos, 47, expressed the profound pain of losing Moreno, 38, who he intended to marry.
"I don't have the words to express the pain I feel in my heart from losing my love Eliana this way," Barrientos stated, thanking those who offered support and prayers.
He described Moreno as someone who was deeply passionate about her work. The couple had planned a future together, dreaming of retiring to Tennessee to live on a farm and care for animals. "While those dreams are now gone, her memory will live in my heart and soul forever," he said.
Barrientos also cherished the time they had, saying, "I know I've been truly blessed to have experienced the love I shared with her in this life." He remembered her as "amazing - loving, kind, compassionate, giving, intelligent and extremely silly," with a great sense of humor. Moreno was also a devoted dog owner, with her two dogs, Penrose and Fullerton, being especially important to her.
Moreno and pilot George Marciniw, 70, were aboard an NBC helicopter when it crashed near the scene of a fatal bus collision in Los Angeles. The helicopter was reportedly covering the bus crash when it lost altitude and fell.
Moreno, an aerial reporter for NBC4 Los Angeles and Telemundo, had been covering events from news helicopters since 2010. She graduated from Chapman University in 2010 with degrees in broadcast journalism and political science. Before joining NBC, she worked at KCAL 9 and KCBS 2. Marciniw was an experienced pilot with over 14,000 flight hours.
The crash resulted in Moreno's death due to blunt force trauma, with thermal injuries and smoke inhalation also contributing factors, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. The incident occurred near the intersection of Nordhoff Street and DeSoto Avenue.
Barrientos concluded his tribute by expressing gratitude to his sons and Moreno's family for their support during this difficult period.