A morning anchorwoman for a Wisconsin television news station died suddenly over the weekend in an apparent case of suicide.
Nena Pacholke, of 27 years ago, she served as a morning co-anchor and noon anchor on News 9 WAOW. Her sister, Kaitlynn Pacholke, told the Tampa Bay Times that Neena had committed suicide.
“She was like a little ball of sunshine, and her smile was huge,” Pacholke said. to the Times. “And she could make you feel like you were the most important person, whether she knew you for five minutes or her whole life… we’d go out for coffee and someone would recognize her, and she’d make them happy.”
WAOW released a statement confirming the passing of the morning anchor on Saturday: “The entire team here at News 9 is absolutely devastated by the loss, as we know so many others are too. Neena loved this community and the people who lived here. She was a kind person, with a big heart and an infectious smile, and she will be greatly missed.”
In addition to being a television presenter, Pacholke was a basketball player at the University of South Florida and was engaged at the time of her death, her sister told the Tampa Bay Times.
“Our prayers are with the Pacholke family during this extremely difficult time. Please keep them in your thoughts,” José Fernández, women’s coach at the University of South Florida, said on Twitter.
Pacholke wrote on her website that her work as a morning and noon co-anchor took her out of her comfort zone, but it was also a privilege.
“Starting the day of thousands of people every weekday morning in central Wisconsin is a privilege and something I do not take lightly,” she stated. “They rely on us for breaking news happening in our area, as well as having my co-anchor and I to bring laughter to living rooms to start the day off right.”
With information from WAOW / Fox News