The Los Angeles Rams paid a touching tribute to the late aerial reporter Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw at the team’s first home game of the season.
At the front of the SoFi Stadium press box, two bouquets of white flowers along with two portraits of Moreno and Marciniw were displayed Monday. A card that read, “In loving memory,” was also placed.
The memorial comes nearly a week after the dynamic duo of NewsChopper4 died after the news helicopter they were traveling in crashed in Chatsworth. Moreno and Marciniw were providing coverage for NBCLA and Telemundo 52 on a deadly crash involving a suspected DUI driver and a Metro bus when the aircraft suddenly went down.
Moreno, an avid sports fan, was a supporter of the Rams, the Lakers and the Dodgers.
Following the tragedy, her family issued the following statement:
“Since she was 11 years old, Eliana dreamed of becoming a news reporter. Through hard work and courage, she turned that dream into a reality. So much of that journey was made possible by all of you who welcomed her into your homes and onto your screens. Your support meant more to her than you may ever know. We find comfort in knowing that Eliana left this world doing the very thing she loved, pursuing the passion she carried with her since she was a little girl.
“On behalf of her parents, siblings, fiancé, stepsons, and beloved dogs, we want to thank everyone for the overwhelming love you have shown our beautiful Eliana. We are infinitely proud of her and feel incredibly blessed to have had the privilege of loving her and calling her ours. Please continue to keep Eliana, her pilot George, Edy Gutierrez Mejia, and the souls lost in the bus collision in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.”
