September 16, 2026 – Following the tragic deaths of KNBC reporters Eliana Moreno and George Marciniw in a helicopter crash yesterday, former Congressman David Dreier, Chairman of the Fallen Journalists Memorial Foundation, issued the following statement:
“The tragic deaths of the KNBC reporting team of Eliana Moreno and George Marciniw in a helicopter crash yesterday is a devastating loss for local journalism in Southern California.
It is a painful reminder that gathering the news can carry very real risks. Eliana and George lost their lives while doing what they had done so many times before, going toward a breaking story so that the public could be informed. The work of journalism depends not only on the reporters whose voices and bylines we know, but also on the photographers, pilots, technicians and many others who make newsgathering possible.
The Fallen Journalists Memorial Foundation exists to ensure that those who lose their lives while reporting the news are remembered. Today, we mourn two extraordinary professionals whose work I came to know and admire. Eliana brought intelligence, energy and humanity to her work as a journalist, while George was an exceptionally skilled and dedicated pilot who made that work possible. Together, they spent countless hours above Southern California helping millions of people understand what was happening in their communities.
Eliana and George devoted their professional lives to helping others see and understand the world around them. Their service will not be forgotten.”