Who was Eliana Moreno? NBC reporter killed in Los Angeles helicopter crash

Eliana Moreno, an aerial reporter and photographer with NBC Los Angeles and Telemundo 52, was killed when a news helicopter crashed while covering a road accident in Chatsworth, Los Angeles, on September 15. The crash also claimed the life of pilot George Marciniw, while the identity of a third person believed to have been on the ground remained unknown.

The helicopter was covering a separate traffic accident involving an SUV and a Metro bus when it went down. NBC Los Angeles initially said it was unable to reach its pilot and the people aboard the helicopter before later confirming that the aircraft belonged to the network.

Moreno's death has since drawn attention to the journalist behind the NewsChopper 4 coverage, as well as a video circulating online that people said captured moments immediately before the helicopter crashed.

Who was Eliana Moreno?

Moreno worked as an aerial reporter and photographer for NBC Los Angeles and Telemundo 52 as part of NewsChopper 4. She was based in Orange County and had built her career around television journalism, aerial photography and reporting.

According to her LinkedIn profile, Moreno knew from the age of 11 that she wanted to become a television news reporter. She studied Broadcast Journalism and Political Science at Chapman University.

Before joining Angel City Air in September 2010, she worked as a reporter and anchor for several media outlets in Orange County, reporting in both English and Spanish.

Her professional profile listed experience across several newsroom roles, including camerawoman, anchor, producer and spokeswoman. 

What happened before the helicopter crash?

Before NBC Los Angeles officially confirmed Moreno's death, concern over her whereabouts spread online.

People who watched footage said they believed Moreno's voice could be heard in the final moments before the helicopter went down. One social media post claimed the footage captured the helicopter shutting off followed by a voice saying, “you can’t pull up.”

The video prompted a wave of concern and condolences online as viewers waited for confirmation about the identities of those aboard.

The footage and the claims surrounding it circulated before NBC Los Angeles confirmed that Moreno and pilot George Marciniw were among those killed.