In a tragic incident that shocked the community, a helicopter crash in Los Angeles on September 15 claimed the lives of three individuals, including reporter Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw from KNBC. The crash, which occurred around 8 p.m. in Chatsworth, California, also took the life of 29-year-old Edy Gutierrez Mejia, a visitor from Guatemala.
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Edy Gutierrez Mejia had arrived in Los Angeles just hours before the accident, on a short trip to procure cars for his business. His family described him as a joyful person with a penchant for humour, saying he was always keen to make those around him laugh. Speaking to local media, his relatives expressed their devastation over his untimely death. “He was very playful, he liked to tell jokes and make people laugh,” they shared in Spanish to a local news outlet, KMEX.
Originating from Cuilapa, Guatemala, Mejia was in the United States for only a couple of days. At the time of the crash, he was standing near a vehicle at a local storage facility. Friends and family remembered him fondly, with one close companion, Daniel Castillo, highlighting his work ethic and lively spirit. “He was always a dynamic, hardworking young man, and today we sadly woke up to the sad news of his passing,” Castillo remarked.
The tragedy also struck a deep chord in Mejia’s hometown. Cuilapa’s local government released a heartfelt message expressing their condolences and mourning the loss of Mejia, who was affectionately known as “Pichi.” The statement extended prayers for his soul and for the family during such a difficult time, demonstrating the community’s solidarity in grief.
The helicopter, identified as a Eurocopter AS350, crashed between two commercial buildings on Mason Avenue, approximately 25 miles from downtown Los Angeles. Initial reports from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirm that two individuals were on board the helicopter at the time of the incident. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will be responsible for examining the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Aside from Mejia, the KNBC team mourned the losses of Moreno and Marciniw. Both were well-respected figures within the news organisation. Moreno, who had been with KNBC for several years, earned her degree in broadcast journalism and political science from Chapman University and began working in news helicopters in 2010. Meanwhile, Marciniw, a Burbank High School graduate, had a distinguished career in aviation.
During a broadcast covering the incident, anchors Colleen Williams and Carolyn Johnson solemnly shared the news of their colleagues’ deaths. “We’re coming on the air with heavy hearts tonight because we lost valued friends and colleagues just before 7 p.m.,” they stated, paying tribute to the two individuals who had been flying together since early 2023. Their rapport and professionalism were often on display during live coverage, making the loss even more poignant for the news team.
In the wake of the helicopter crash, fellow KABC anchor Lynette Romero took a moment on the Today show to express the deep sorrow resonating within the KNBC family. “We are heartbroken,” she said, reminding viewers that the team shared both their triumphs and tragedies together, making their loss feel incredibly personal.
Additional news following the helicopter crash revealed that the Los Angeles Police Department had made an arrest related to a separate bus crash that took place prior to the helicopter incident. A woman was taken into custody on suspicion of murder concerning that tragic event, although formal charges had not yet been lodged at the time.
As the investigations into both crashes continue, the memories of Eliana Moreno, George Marciniw, and Edy Gutierrez Mejia will undoubtedly remain in the hearts of those who knew them and were touched by their lives. The community now faces the difficult task of coping with the void left by their unexpected departures.