Eliana Moreno was a Southern California journalist known for reporting from the air for NBC4 Los Angeles and Telemundo 52. As a member of the NewsChopper4 team, she covered breaking news, wildfires, police pursuits, and other events across the region. Moreno died on September 15, 2026, in a helicopter crash while working with pilot George Marciniw.
A native of Orange County, Moreno studied broadcast journalism and political science at Chapman University. She began working in aerial news reporting in 2010 and spent much of her career bringing viewers a perspective that ground-based crews could not easily provide. Her colleagues remembered her as ambitious, skilled, and deeply connected to her community.
Eliana Moreno: Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Eliana Moreno |
| Profession | Journalist and aerial reporter |
| Known for | NewsChopper4 reports for NBC4 Los Angeles and Telemundo 52 |
| Hometown | Tustin, California |
| Education | Chapman University, class of 2010 |
| Fields of study | Television broadcast journalism and political science |
| Aerial reporting career | Joined Angel City Air in 2010 |
| Died | September 15, 2026 |
Early Life and Education
Moreno grew up in Tustin, California, and attended Foothill High School. She knew from a young age that she wanted to work in television news. Chapman University reported that she had set her sights on journalism by the time she was 11.
She studied at Chapman University, graduating in 2010 with degrees in television broadcast journalism and political science. The university’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts helped prepare her for the many responsibilities of television reporting. Moreno later described how her training supported work that required her to report, film, and edit stories.
Career in Southern California Journalism
Before becoming an aerial reporter, Moreno worked on the ground for Irvine’s community television station. NBC Los Angeles reported that she spent seven years reporting there. The role gave her experience covering local people and issues before she took on the more specialized work of reporting from a helicopter.
Moreno joined Angel City Air in 2010. The company operates NewsChopper4, whose aerial footage and reporting support NBC4 and Telemundo 52. Over the years, Moreno became a familiar presence for viewers across Southern California, reporting from above on events that were unfolding across a wide geographic area.
Reporting from the Air
Aerial reporting combines journalism with aviation awareness and visual storytelling. Reporters must communicate what they can see while a pilot navigates the aircraft, and they often need to relay information quickly during developing events. Moreno’s work included coverage of fires, police pursuits, breaking news, and the Southern California landscape.
She delivered reports in English and Spanish for NBC4 and Telemundo 52. Her ability to work across the two newsrooms helped make information accessible to a wider audience. Colleagues also noted that aerial reporting demanded multiple skills: Moreno could report, operate a camera, and contribute to editing.
She and pilot George Marciniw frequently worked together. NBC Los Angeles reported that the pair had logged hundreds of hours in the air together since 2023. Their work included major events such as the January 2025 wildfires as well as the daily breaking news that affected communities throughout the region.
Death and Tributes
Moreno died on September 15, 2026, when the NewsChopper4 helicopter crashed while she was on assignment with pilot George Marciniw. NBC Los Angeles and Chapman University confirmed her death and shared tributes from colleagues and members of the Chapman community.
At the time this profile was prepared, crash investigators were examining the circumstances. The cause should be described only when authorities release confirmed findings. Speculation about the crash is not a substitute for the investigation.
Viewers, colleagues, and former professors remembered Moreno for her dedication to journalism and her connection to Orange County. Chapman University described her as a graduate who pursued the reporting career she had planned since childhood. Her work made her a recognizable voice and presence in Southern California news coverage.
Career Overview
| Period | Role or milestone | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Early life | Raised in Tustin, California | Attended Foothill High School and developed an early interest in television reporting. |
| 2010 | Graduated from Chapman University | Earned degrees in television broadcast journalism and political science. |
| Early career | Community television reporter | Reported from the ground for Irvine’s community television station. |
| 2010 onward | Aerial reporter with Angel City Air | Joined the company operating NewsChopper4. |
| Later career | NBC4 and Telemundo 52 | Delivered aerial news reports in English and Spanish across Southern California. |
| September 15, 2026 | Died while on assignment | Killed in a helicopter crash with pilot George Marciniw. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Eliana Moreno?
Eliana Moreno was a Southern California aerial journalist who reported for NBC4 Los Angeles and Telemundo 52 through the NewsChopper4 team.
Where did Eliana Moreno study?
She graduated from Chapman University in 2010, where she studied television broadcast journalism and political science.
What was Eliana Moreno known for?
She was known for reporting from the air on breaking news, fires, police pursuits, and other events across Southern California. She delivered reports in both English and Spanish.
When did Eliana Moreno die?
Moreno died on September 15, 2026, in a helicopter crash while working with pilot George Marciniw.
What caused the helicopter crash?
The cause should not be stated as fact without confirmed findings from the relevant investigators. Check official investigation updates for verified information.
Final Word
Eliana Moreno built a distinctive journalism career by combining broadcast reporting, visual storytelling, and aerial photography. From her early work in Irvine to her years reporting for NBC4 and Telemundo 52, she brought viewers a close-up view of a region she called home. Her colleagues and community remember her for pursuing the career she envisioned as a child and for the stories she helped bring to Southern California audiences.