Former teacher remembers Eliana Moreno after deadly helicopter crash

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) — Around 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Chatsworth area of the San Fernando Valley, a news helicopter crashed, leaving three people dead.

NBC4 later confirmed the helicopter was from its station and that 38-year-old reporter Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw died as a result of the crash.

Additionally, a person on the ground was killed in the crash. On Wednesday, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner identified 29-year-old victim Edy Gutierrez Mejia as the person killed on the ground.

The National Transportation Safety Board arrived in Los Angeles to lead the investigation into the fatal incident. Federal investigators are conducting a field investigation at the scene, gathering factual data while reviewing maintenance logbooks, weather conditions and pilot training records.

Moreno, who reported on NewsChopper4 graduate of Chapman University in Orange in 2010 with bachelor's degrees in television and broadcast journalism and political science. Additionally, Moreno announced her engagement to her partner, Robert Barrientos, on her instagram on Oct. 28, 2025.

Former Chapman University professor Sally Rubin remembered Moreno as a born leader with a strong dedication to her career goals.

“She was definitely one of those students that you're not at all surprised when they achieve their dreams,” Rubin said. “I just remember the smile on her face like, never went away. There was nothing you could say that would make that smile go away.”

Rubin also highlighted the courage required in broadcast journalism and shared how she intends on honoring Moreno's legacy through her teaching.

“One of the very first things I thought when I heard the news was how brave journalists are and Eliana was,” Rubin said. “Just running out into the field, getting in a helicopter, whatever's needed to get the story and share the news... I plan to do her story justice by sharing it in my classes and making sure people never forget how committed she was to journalism and how important that field is to all of us.”

The NTSB stated that a preliminary report on the crash will be released in about 30 days. A full probable cause report is expected to take up to 18 months to complete. Stay with News Channel 3 for the latest updates.