NBC Reporter Eliana Moreno Killed in Los Angeles Helicopter Crash
The crash also claimed the life of the pilot and a pedestrian on the ground.
Newly engaged NBC reporter Eliana 'Eli' Moreno, 38, died Tuesday night when the news helicopter she was reporting from crashed in a parking lot in Los Angeles' Chatsworth neighborhood. The pilot, George Marciniw, 70, and an unidentified pedestrian were also killed in the incident.
Moreno, an aerial reporter for NBC4 Los Angeles and Telemundo, was covering a fatal bus collision nearby when her helicopter, NewsChopper4, suddenly lost altitude and plummeted to the ground around 7 p.m. The crash ignited a significant blaze that threatened nearby vehicles.
Before her death, Moreno had expressed enthusiasm for her career, sharing on Instagram that she had 'the best job in the world.' She was engaged to her boyfriend, Robert Barrientos, 47, whom she had been dating for at least three years. The couple announced their engagement on Facebook in October.
Moreno had been flying in news helicopters since 2010, covering various major events after graduating from Chapman University with degrees in broadcast journalism and political science. She joined NBC4 around 2018 or 2019, having previously worked at KCAL 9 and KCBS 2. Marciniw was an experienced pilot with over 14,000 flight hours.
NBC4 and Telemundo 52 released a statement expressing deep sadness and extending condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of those lost. Longtime NBC 4 Los Angeles news anchor Colleen Williams confirmed the helicopter was from NBC Los Angeles, visibly emotional during the broadcast.
Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles and California Governor Gavin Newsom offered their condolences to the victims and their families. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the cause of the helicopter crash.
The helicopter was apparently covering a separate incident where an SUV collided with a Metro bus at the intersection of Nordhoff Street and DeSoto Avenue. That collision resulted in two fatalities and several injuries, with authorities investigating whether a red light was run.
