Eliana Moreno, the NBC4 Los Angeles and Telemundo 52 aerial reporter killed in a helicopter crash on Tuesday evening, September 15, 2026, had announced her engagement to Robert Barrientos less than a year before her death. Moreno, 38, shared the news on social media on October 28, 2025, posting video clips from a trip to Tennessee that included her and Barrientos at a club, followed by a glimpse of her engagement ring. She was also a mother.
Moreno and pilot George Marciniw died when NewsChopper4, a Eurocopter AS 350 B2 operated by Angel City Air, crashed between two commercial buildings in the Chatsworth neighborhood of the San Fernando Valley shortly before 7:00 p.m. local time. A third person on the ground, later identified as 29-year-old Edy Gutierrez Mejia, was also killed. Two additional people were hospitalized.
The helicopter had been providing live aerial coverage of a fatal collision between an SUV and a Metro bus in downtown Los Angeles when it went down. A witness told NBC Los Angeles that her husband observed the helicopter “swaying” before it crashed, erupting into a fireball upon impact with the ground in a parking lot adjacent to a self-storage facility.
Telemundo’s tribute called Moreno “without a doubt, the best airborne reporter in all of Los Angeles.” The NTSB announced on September 16 that it has opened a formal investigation into the crash.
This article covers everything known about Eliana Moreno’s personal life and engagement to Robert Barrientos, her career as an aerial journalist, the details of the crash, pilot George Marciniw’s background, the investigation, and the tributes from colleagues and the journalism community.
Eliana Moreno and Robert Barrientos: Their Engagement and Relationship
Eliana Moreno announced her engagement to Robert Barrientos on October 28, 2025, through a social media video post that showed highlights from a trip the couple took to Tennessee. The video included clips of the pair together at a venue, followed by Moreno showing off her engagement ring.
Eliana Moreno and Robert Barrientos: What Is Known
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Fiance’s name | Robert Barrientos |
| Engagement announced | October 28, 2025 |
| Engagement location | During a trip to Tennessee |
| Time engaged before her death | Approximately 11 months |
| Barrientos’ Instagram bio | “Eliana” |
| Barrientos’ social media profile | Private Instagram account with fewer than 800 followers |
| Shared interests | Running (completed the Orange County half marathon together in May 2026) |
| Shared pets | Three dogs, visible in photos posted by Moreno |
Beyond the engagement announcement, one of the most detailed public references to their relationship came in May 2026, when Moreno posted about completing the Orange County half marathon alongside Barrientos. She finished in under two hours, a feat she described as extraordinary given her lifelong battle with severe asthma.
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“My resolution this year was to run one mile, just one mile, by the end of 2026,” she wrote. “You see, I have always had bad asthma. I was even medically excused from running in school because it was guaranteed to send me into an asthma attack.”
She continued: “The first week of January, I decided to start trying to run my one mile. I did it on my first try, and even though I felt like I was going to die, I felt like I could do more.”
The post concluded with a message that, in retrospect, carries painful weight: “I surpassed everything I thought I could ever do so let’s see what I do next.”
Robert Barrientos maintained a low public profile throughout their relationship. His Instagram account is private, with fewer than 800 followers. His bio contains a single word and emoji: “Eliana.” He has not made a public statement since Moreno’s death. The dogs visible in Barrientos’ profile photos also appear on Moreno’s page, suggesting the couple shared a home and co-parented their pets.
Who Was Eliana Moreno: Her Life and Career in Aerial Journalism
Eliana Moreno built a 16-year career in aerial journalism, becoming one of the most recognized voices in Los Angeles local news without ever appearing on screen from a traditional newsroom.
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Eliana Moreno: Career and Life Profile
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Eliana Moreno |
| Age at death | 38 |
| Born | Orange County, California |
| Education | Chapman University, Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism and Political Science (2010) |
| Career start | Joined Angel City Air in September 2010 |
| Primary role | Aerial photojournalist, reporter, and photographer for NBC4 Los Angeles and Telemundo 52 |
| Social media handle | “Eli in the heli” |
| Years flying in news helicopters | 16 (2010-2026) |
| Partnership with George Marciniw | Began flying together in 2023; worked as a team for approximately three years |
| Languages | Bilingual (English and Spanish); reported for both NBC4 and Telemundo 52 |
| Personal | Mother; engaged to Robert Barrientos |
| Childhood aspiration | Wanted to be a television news reporter since age 11 |
Moreno was born and raised in Orange County, California. She graduated from Chapman University in 2010 with a dual degree in broadcast journalism and political science. She joined Angel City Air, the company that operates news helicopters for multiple Los Angeles television stations, immediately after graduation in September 2010. She was 22 years old when she started.
For 16 years, Moreno covered breaking news from the air over one of the largest and most complex metropolitan areas in the world. Her bilingual ability made her particularly valuable: she reported for NBC4 in English and for Telemundo 52 in Spanish, serving two massive audience bases simultaneously.
She adopted the social media handle “Eli in the heli,” which became a recognizable brand within the Los Angeles journalism community. In a 2023 Instagram post, she wrote: “After working 76 hours since Sunday, I’m almost done! I can’t complain though because I have the best job in the world.”
Her LinkedIn page described her as a “Helicopter Reporter/Photographer” and noted that she was also a mother.
How the Chatsworth Helicopter Crash Happened
The crash occurred on the evening of Tuesday, September 15, 2026, during what had already been a tragic day in Los Angeles.
NBC Los Angeles anchor Colleen Williams confirmed on-air Tuesday night, that the station’s NewsChopper4 had crashed in Chatsworth, telling viewers the newsroom had lost contact with the crew before learning the helicopter had gone down.
The helicopter was covering a separate… pic.twitter.com/qxea3JGhbH
— CBS News (@CBSNews) September 16, 2026
Crash Timeline
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| Late afternoon, Sept. 15 | An SUV slams into the side of a Metro bus at an intersection in Chatsworth; at least two people are killed in the bus collision |
| Approximately 6:30-6:45 p.m. | Multiple news helicopters, including NewsChopper4, are dispatched to provide aerial coverage of the bus crash |
| Shortly before 7:00 p.m. | NewsChopper4, a Eurocopter AS 350 B2 operated by Angel City Air, crashes between two commercial buildings in a parking lot near a self-storage facility in Chatsworth |
| At impact | The helicopter erupts into a fireball; at least four cars and two storage containers catch fire |
| Within minutes | The Los Angeles Fire Department responds; the fire is quickly extinguished |
| At the scene | Three people are pronounced dead: Eliana Moreno and George Marciniw (on board), and Edy Gutierrez Mejia, 29 (on the ground in the parking lot) |
| Two additional people | Hospitalized with injuries; conditions not immediately disclosed |
| Tuesday evening | NBC4 anchor Colleen Williams confirms on-air that the station’s helicopter went down and two colleagues were killed |
| Tuesday night | Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass addresses the media: “It’s been a very, very, very tragic day in Los Angeles” |
| September 16, 2026 | NTSB announces formal investigation into the crash of the Eurocopter AS 350 B2 |
| September 16, 2026 | Third ground victim identified by coroner’s office as Edy Gutierrez Mejia, 29 |
A witness named Allyona Sevanesian told KTLA that her husband, who is in law enforcement, observed the helicopter “swaying” before it went down. The cause of the crash has not been determined. The NTSB stated that investigators were expected to arrive at the scene on Wednesday morning.
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Pilot George Marciniw: Three Decades of Flight Experience
George Marciniw, the pilot of NewsChopper4, was killed alongside Moreno in the crash. He brought over 30 years of flying experience to the role.
George Marciniw: Profile
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | George Marciniw |
| Role | Pilot, Angel City Air (operating NewsChopper4 for NBC4 LA) |
| Flight experience | Over 30 years |
| Education | 1974 graduate of Burbank High School, Southern California |
| Flying partnership with Moreno | Since 2023 (approximately three years) |
| Social media | Frequently tagged Moreno as the source of photographs he shared; posted images of them working together |
| Notable post | Shared a photograph of a moonrise from the helicopter, crediting Moreno for the “unbelievable view” |
Marciniw grew up in Southern California and graduated from Burbank High School in 1974. His instructor profile described over three decades of flight experience, placing his career start in the early-to-mid 1990s. He and Moreno began flying together in 2023, forming a working partnership that lasted approximately three years.
Their social media presence reflected a close professional bond. Marciniw frequently tagged Moreno in posts, and the two shared photographs of each other taken during assignments. One widely circulated image shows them posing together in front of NewsChopper4. Another, posted during the holiday season, showed the pair wishing viewers Happy Holidays.
NBC4 anchor Colleen Williams paid tribute during a live broadcast on Tuesday evening: “We are coming on the air with heavy hearts tonight because we lost valued friends and colleagues while on assignment tonight.”
The Helicopter: Eurocopter AS 350 B2 and What the NTSB Will Investigate
The NTSB confirmed on September 16, 2026, that the aircraft involved was a Eurocopter AS 350 B2, one of the most widely used helicopters in the world for news, law enforcement, and utility operations.
Eurocopter AS 350 B2 (Ecureuil / AStar): Key Facts
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters (formerly Eurocopter, originally Aerospatiale) |
| Model | AS 350 B2 |
| Type | Single-engine light utility helicopter |
| Engine | Turbomeca Arriel 1D1 turboshaft |
| Capacity | 1 pilot + up to 5 passengers |
| Maximum speed | Approximately 155 mph (249 km/h) |
| Range | Approximately 383 miles (616 km) |
| Common uses | Electronic news gathering, law enforcement, medical transport, tourism, utility operations |
| Global fleet | Over 5,000 produced; one of the best-selling helicopters in history |
| Operator in this incident | Angel City Air Inc. |
The AS 350 is considered one of the most versatile and reliable light helicopters ever produced. However, like all aircraft, it has been involved in accidents over its decades of service. The NTSB’s investigation will examine mechanical factors, pilot actions, weather conditions, air traffic control communications, and any other contributing elements.
The FAA is also expected to participate in the investigation. No preliminary findings have been released as of September 16, 2026.
Tributes From NBC, Telemundo, and the Journalism Community
The response to Moreno’s death from her colleagues and the broader journalism community was immediate and deeply emotional.
Telemundo’s Statement
“Tonight, we are in mourning. We are heartbroken. We have lost two great colleagues. Eliana Moreno was a wonderful human being. Her professionalism was impressive. Everyone who worked with her knew she was, without a doubt, the best airborne reporter in all of Los Angeles.”
The statement continued: Moreno was “on top of everything” and described her as “a source of comfort.”
NBC4 and Telemundo 52 Joint Statement
“We are deeply saddened to share that a helicopter providing aerial news coverage for NBC4 and Telemundo 52 was involved in a fatal accident in Los Angeles on Tuesday evening. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who lost their lives.”
Governor Gavin Newsom
“Our hearts are with the victims and families of tonight’s devastating Metro bus and helicopter crashes in Chatsworth, and with the entire NBC4 family.”
Our hearts are with the victims and families of tonight’s devastating Metro bus and helicopter crashes in Chatsworth, and with the entire NBC4 family.
Thank you to the first responders working tirelessly tonight.
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) September 16, 2026
Colleen Williams (NBC4 Anchor)
During a live broadcast on Tuesday evening, Williams told viewers: “We are coming on the air with heavy hearts tonight because we lost valued friends and colleagues while on assignment tonight.” She said Moreno and Marciniw “died doing what they loved.”
Mayor Karen Bass
“It’s been a very, very, very tragic day in Los Angeles. We lost five Angelenos today, and my heart certainly goes out to the family and friends of all of those that we lost.”
Public Response
On social media, fans and fellow journalists shared tributes. One widely shared post on X read: “RIP Eliana Moreno, you were such a great reporter and were passionate about what you did.”
The Third Victim and the Metro Bus Crash That Preceded the Helicopter Crash
The helicopter crash occurred while Moreno and Marciniw were covering a separate fatal incident: a collision between an SUV and a Metro bus in Chatsworth that killed at least two people.
The third person killed in the helicopter crash was not on board the aircraft. The Los Angeles County coroner’s office identified the ground victim on September 16 as 29-year-old Edy Gutierrez Mejia, who was in the parking lot where the helicopter came down. Two additional people were hospitalized with injuries. Their conditions have not been publicly updated.
The dual tragedies, a fatal bus collision followed by a fatal helicopter crash while covering that collision, prompted Mayor Bass to describe the day as one of the worst in the city’s recent memory. A total of five people died across the two incidents.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who was Eliana Moreno?
Eliana Moreno, 38, was a bilingual aerial photojournalist and reporter who worked for NBC4 Los Angeles and Telemundo 52. She had been flying in news helicopters since September 2010 after graduating from Chapman University. She was known by the social media handle “Eli in the heli.”
Who is Robert Barrientos?
Robert Barrientos is Eliana Moreno’s fiance. Moreno announced their engagement on October 28, 2025. Barrientos maintains a private Instagram account; his bio reads “Eliana.” The couple ran the Orange County half marathon together in May 2026 and shared three dogs.
Did Eliana Moreno have children?
Her LinkedIn page identifies her as a mother. Further details about her children have not been publicly disclosed.
What happened in the Chatsworth helicopter crash?
On September 15, 2026, shortly before 7:00 p.m., a Eurocopter AS 350 B2 operated by Angel City Air crashed between two commercial buildings in a parking lot in Chatsworth while covering a fatal bus collision. The helicopter erupted into a fireball on impact. Three people were killed: Moreno, pilot George Marciniw, and a pedestrian on the ground identified as Edy Gutierrez Mejia, 29.
Who was the pilot?
George Marciniw was the pilot. He had over 30 years of flight experience and was a 1974 graduate of Burbank High School. He and Moreno began flying together in 2023.
What caused the helicopter crash?
The cause has not been determined. The NTSB opened a formal investigation on September 16, 2026. A witness reported that the helicopter appeared to be “swaying” before it went down.
Who was the third person killed?
The Los Angeles County coroner’s office identified the third victim as 29-year-old Edy Gutierrez Mejia, who was on the ground in the parking lot when the helicopter crashed.
When did Eliana Moreno get engaged?
Moreno announced her engagement to Robert Barrientos on October 28, 2025, approximately 11 months before her death.
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Last Updated on September 16, 2026 by 247 News Around The World
