Eliana Moreno and George Marciniw Obituary, Los Angeles Death – NBC4 Community Mourns Helicopter Crash Victims

LOS ANGELES — The Southern California journalism community is mourning the deaths of aerial reporter Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw, who were among three people killed Tuesday when a helicopter providing coverage for NBCLA and Telemundo 52 crashed in the Chatsworth community.

Moreno and Marciniw had frequently worked together, becoming familiar faces to viewers across Southern California as they provided aerial coverage of breaking news. Since flying together beginning in 2023, the pair logged hundreds of hours in the sky, covering major incidents including the devastating wildfires of January 2025, police pursuits, crashes, wildfires, and other breaking news.

Moreno, who was from Orange County, earned degrees in broadcast journalism and political science from Chapman University. Known on Instagram as “Eli in the heli,” she became recognized for her reporting from above, bringing viewers breaking developments as well as striking views of the Southern California landscape. She is survived by her fiancé.

Marciniw was also a Southern California native and graduated from Burbank High School in 1974. In addition to his work as a pilot, he served as an instructor for aspiring aviators and was believed to have more than 30 years of flight experience. Friends and colleagues remembered his extensive aviation knowledge and his connection to the local flying community.

The two were covering a fatal Metro bus crash in Chatsworth when the helicopter went down. The cause of the helicopter crash has not been determined.

NBC4 and Telemundo 52 expressed deep sadness over the tragedy and extended condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of those killed.

The third person who died in the helicopter crash has not been identified by authorities.

For the newsrooms and viewers who regularly saw Moreno and Marciniw working together in the sky, their deaths represent the loss of two familiar figures who dedicated themselves to bringing urgent information to Southern California. Their work and the many hours they spent covering the region will remain part of their professional legacy as colleagues, friends, and viewers mourn their passing.