Wisconsin Morning News Anchora Neena Pacholke Dead at 27 of Apparent Suicide in Southern Mexico
- 2 years ago
A Wisconsin morning news anchor and former college basketball player died suddenly Saturday at age 27 in an apparent suicide.
News of WAOW presenter Neena Pacholke's death stunned her family and colleagues, and she was remembered for her infectious smile and carefree demeanor.
“Neena Pacholke, our beloved morning show host passed away suddenly on Saturday,” 9 WAOW said in a statement. "The entire team here at News 9 is absolutely devastated by the loss, as we know many others are as well."
Pacholke, who grew up in Tampa and played basketball for the University of South Florida, was engaged to be married at the time of her death, her older sister, Kaitlynn Pacholke, told the Tampa Bay Times.
"He was like a little ball of sunshine and his smile was huge," Kaitlynn Pacholke said Monday morning. "My sister was by far the happiest person I thought I knew."
One of Pacholke's last posts on Twitter was a retweet from author Jon Gordon about positivity and the belief that the best is yet to come.
“We are not positive because life is easy. We are positive because life can be difficult," Gordon wrote in the original tweet. “Give yourself (and others) grace. Speak life and encourage others. Look for the good today. Remember your WHY. He believes the best is yet to come."
News 9 and Pacholke's co-host also cited Pacholke's smile and bubbly personality in the tributes.
"She was a kind person with a big heart and an infectious smile and she will be sorely missed," the station said.
His co-host Brendan Mackey said that Pacholke was "the brightest light in the room" with the "biggest smile and funniest laugh".
“I have never met anyone in my entire life who is more loved than this girl,” Mackey wrote in a tribute post on Facebook. “Every day she made people smile, whether it was through a TV screen or just being an amazing friend. She was so happy and so full of life and a role model."
News of WAOW presenter Neena Pacholke's death stunned her family and colleagues, and she was remembered for her infectious smile and carefree demeanor.
“Neena Pacholke, our beloved morning show host passed away suddenly on Saturday,” 9 WAOW said in a statement. "The entire team here at News 9 is absolutely devastated by the loss, as we know many others are as well."
Pacholke, who grew up in Tampa and played basketball for the University of South Florida, was engaged to be married at the time of her death, her older sister, Kaitlynn Pacholke, told the Tampa Bay Times.
"He was like a little ball of sunshine and his smile was huge," Kaitlynn Pacholke said Monday morning. "My sister was by far the happiest person I thought I knew."
One of Pacholke's last posts on Twitter was a retweet from author Jon Gordon about positivity and the belief that the best is yet to come.
“We are not positive because life is easy. We are positive because life can be difficult," Gordon wrote in the original tweet. “Give yourself (and others) grace. Speak life and encourage others. Look for the good today. Remember your WHY. He believes the best is yet to come."
News 9 and Pacholke's co-host also cited Pacholke's smile and bubbly personality in the tributes.
"She was a kind person with a big heart and an infectious smile and she will be sorely missed," the station said.
His co-host Brendan Mackey said that Pacholke was "the brightest light in the room" with the "biggest smile and funniest laugh".
“I have never met anyone in my entire life who is more loved than this girl,” Mackey wrote in a tribute post on Facebook. “Every day she made people smile, whether it was through a TV screen or just being an amazing friend. She was so happy and so full of life and a role model."