Eliana Moreno Wikipedia | Biography
Eliana Moreno was an American aerial photojournalist and television reporter known for covering breaking news across Southern California. She became a familiar voice on NBC4 Los Angeles and Telemundo 52 through live reports from NewsChopper4.
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Moreno was born and raised in Orange County, California. She developed an interest in television journalism at age 11 and pursued that ambition through college. In 2010, she graduated from Chapman University with degrees in broadcast journalism and political science.
Soon after graduation, Moreno joined Angel City Air in September 2010. She first provided aerial coverage for KCAL 9 and KCBS 2 before expanding her work across Los Angeles television. Her role demanded several skills at once, including reporting, photography, video editing, and live narration from the air.
Over time, Moreno covered wildfires, police pursuits, traffic emergencies, crashes, rescues, and other major breaking stories. She also reported in English and Spanish, strengthening her connection with audiences across Southern California. Her social media identity, “Eli in the Heli,” reflected the aerial reporting career that defined her professional life.
By 2026, Moreno had spent about 16 years working in Southern California aerial journalism. She regularly worked aboard NewsChopper4 for NBC4 and Telemundo 52. On September 15, 2026, Moreno died when NewsChopper4 crashed in Chatsworth while covering a deadly Metro bus collision.
Pilot George Marciniw also died, along with a person on the ground. Federal investigators began examining the crash, and authorities had not announced a final cause by September 16. Eliana Moreno built a distinctive journalism career through speed, accuracy, technical skill, and bilingual reporting.
Her work gave Los Angeles audiences an important aerial view of developing emergencies and breaking news across one of America’s largest markets.
Eliana Moreno Age: How Old Was Eliana Moreno?
Eliana Moreno was 38 years old when she died on September 15, 2026. She had already built a strong career in Southern California television journalism. Moreno graduated from Chapman University in 2010 and entered aerial reporting soon afterward. Over the years, she became widely recognized through her work with NBC4 Los Angeles and Telemundo 52. Additionally, she earned attention as “Eli in the Heli” while covering breaking news from above. At 38, Moreno had gained about 16 years of journalism experience, covering wildfires, police pursuits, traffic incidents, and other major developing stories across the Los Angeles area.
Eliana Moreno Height: How Tall Was Eliana Moreno?
Eliana Moreno stood approximately 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 meters) tall. Moreno became better known for her work as an NBC4 Los Angeles and Telemundo 52 aerial journalist. She regularly reported breaking news from NewsChopper4 across Southern California. Moreover, her confident delivery and strong on-air presence became central to her broadcasting identity. Eliana Moreno’s height attracted less attention than her distinctive career covering major events from the air.
Eliana Moreno Husband
Eliana Moreno was engaged to Robert Barrientos at the time of her death in September 2026. Moreno announced their engagement in October 2025 after Barrientos proposed during a trip to Nashville. The couple occasionally shared personal moments, including their mutual love for animals. Additionally, they completed an Orange County half marathon together in May 2026. Earlier in her life, Moreno married Jeffery Laabs on January 11, 2014. Their wedding took place at Chapman University, where Moreno previously completed her college education. Generally she kept her romantic life separate from her television journalism career.
Eliana Moreno Children
Eliana Moreno did not have any publicly confirmed children before her death in September 2026. Available details about her personal life do not identify a son or daughter. Instead, Moreno often showed affection for animals and described herself through her love for pets. She also shared parts of her life with fiancé Robert Barrientos, whom she became engaged to in 2025. Moreno largely kept family matters away from her professional identity. Meanwhile, her public presence focused strongly on aerial journalism and breaking news coverage. She spent about 16 years reporting across Southern California. Her known personal life centered mainly on her fiancé, animals, career, and close relationships.
Eliana Moreno Parents & Family
Eliana Moreno grew up in Orange County, California, within a family that supported her ambitions from an early age. She developed an interest in television journalism when she was only 11 years old. However, Moreno never publicly identified her mother or father by name. Their occupations and personal backgrounds also remain undisclosed. Likewise, information about Eliana Moreno’s siblings remains limited, with no confirmed brothers or sisters publicly identified.
Moreno generally kept her family life separate from her journalism career. Meanwhile, she frequently expressed her affection for animals and described herself as a devoted pet owner. She later became engaged to Robert Barrientos in 2025. Overall, Moreno maintained strong personal relationships while keeping most details about her parents and immediate family private.
Eliana Moreno Education
Eliana Moreno studied at Chapman University, where she built the academic foundation for her journalism career. She graduated in 2010 with degrees in television and broadcast journalism and political science. Her journalism studies developed skills in reporting, editing, storytelling, and television production. Meanwhile, political science strengthened her understanding of government, public affairs, and current events. Moreno also trained through Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, which prepared her for professional broadcasting. After graduation, she quickly moved into aerial journalism and television news. Her education later supported her work with KCAL 9, KCBS 2, NBC4 Los Angeles, and Telemundo 52. Overall, Eliana Moreno’s education played a central role in shaping her successful Southern California journalism career.
Eliana Moreno NBC4 Career | Telemundo 52 and Aerial Journalism
Eliana Moreno began her professional journalism career after graduating from Chapman University in 2010. She joined Angel City Air in September that year and quickly entered aerial news reporting. Early in her career, Moreno provided aerial coverage for KCAL 9 and KCBS 2 across Southern California. Her demanding role combined reporting, photography, editing, and live narration from a helicopter.
Later, she became a familiar aerial journalist for NBC4 Los Angeles and Telemundo 52. Moreno reported in English and Spanish, which strengthened her versatility across both television stations. Moreover, she covered wildfires, police pursuits, traffic incidents, rescues, and major breaking news events throughout the region. Moreno often captured unfolding scenes while simultaneously explaining developments to television audiences.
Her work during major wildfires also provided critical information about evacuation routes, road closures, and changing conditions. Additionally, Moreno became known online as “Eli in the Heli,” reflecting her distinctive broadcasting role. By 2026, she had accumulated about 16 years of aerial journalism experience. Her career combined technical camera skills with clear, fast-paced reporting from above Southern California.
Eliana Moreno Helicopter Crash and Death
Eliana Moreno died on September 15, 2026, at age 38 after NewsChopper4 crashed in Chatsworth, Los Angeles. Moreno was working alongside pilot George Marciniw while covering a deadly Metro bus collision. The helicopter went down shortly before 7 p.m. near the 9100 block of North Mason Avenue. Moreno and Marciniw died in the crash, while another person on the ground also lost their life. Additionally, the impact caused a fire that damaged nearby vehicles and storage containers. Emergency crews quickly responded and extinguished the flames. Authorities later confirmed that NewsChopper4 served NBC4 Los Angeles and Telemundo 52. The NTSB and FAA opened investigations, while the exact cause remained undetermined on September 16, 2026.
Eliana Moreno Net Worth
Eliana Moreno had an estimated net worth of around $1 million in 2026. Moreno built her finances through more than 15 years in Southern California television journalism. She worked as an aerial reporter and photojournalist for NBC4 Los Angeles and Telemundo 52. Earlier, she provided aerial news coverage for KCAL 9 and KCBS 2. Additionally, her specialized work combined live reporting, photography, editing, and bilingual broadcasting. These responsibilities likely supported steady earnings throughout her long career. Moreno joined Angel City Air after graduating from Chapman University in 2010. Therefore, her estimated $1 million net worth mainly reflects career longevity and professional earnings.
