Eliana Moreno Bio, Age, Husband, NBC4 Career, Death, & Net Worth

Who was Eliana Moreno? | Biography

Eliana Moreno was an aerial photojournalist and television reporter known for covering Southern California from news helicopters. She worked with NBC4 Los Angeles and Telemundo 52, delivering live reports through NewsChopper4. Her assignments included wildfires, police pursuits, traffic crashes, rescues, and emergencies.

Moreno was born and raised in Orange County, California. She decided to pursue television journalism at age 11. Later, she attended Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. In 2010, she earned degrees in television and broadcast journalism and political science.

Before entering aerial journalism, Moreno reported and anchored for Orange County outlets in English and Spanish. She joined Angel City Air in September 2010 and developed helicopter-reporting skills. Moreover, she worked with KCAL 9 and KCBS 2 before becoming associated with NBC4 and Telemundo 52.

Eliana Moreno combined reporting, photography, editing, and live narration during breaking-news flights. Her aerial position helped audiences understand fire movement, freeway closures, police activity, and emergency operations. Chapman University once described her as the youngest aerial journalist in America’s second-largest television market. Her technical versatility and calm delivery made her a familiar voice across Los Angeles.

Moreno married Jeffery Laabs during a ceremony at Chapman University on January 11, 2014. She kept details about her parents, siblings, and whether she had children away from public attention.

On September 15, 2026, NewsChopper4 crashed in Chatsworth while covering a deadly Metro bus collision. Moreno died in the helicopter crash alongside the pilot, while a third victim died on the ground. The NTSB and FAA began investigating the cause.

Eliana Moreno’s career reflected courage, precision, and deep commitment to local journalism. Her reporting gave Southern California viewers a perspective from above during critical events.

Eliana Moreno Age | How Old was Eliana Moreno?

Eliana Moreno’s age remained private because she never published her birth date or birth year. She graduated from Chapman University in 2010 after completing degrees in broadcast journalism and political science. Based on a college timeline, Moreno was likely 38 or 39 years old when she died in September 2026. However, no verified record confirms Eliana Moreno’s age at death. Her public biography only revealed that she wanted to become a television reporter from age 11. Moreno focused public attention on journalism instead of personal milestones. Therefore, any precise age circulating online remains an estimate rather than confirmed biographical information.

Eliana Moreno Height | How Tall was Eliana Moreno?

Eliana Moreno’s height was approximately 5 feet 6 inches based on her appearance in photographs and television footage. However, Moreno never published an official height measurement in her biographies or social media profiles. Her estimated stature matched her confident on-screen presence as an NBC4 aerial reporter and photojournalist. Moreover, height played no meaningful role in her specialized NewsChopper4 career. Moreno built her reputation through clear reporting, technical ability, and calm communication during breaking news. Therefore, 5 feet 6 inches offers a reasonable visual estimate, not a verified measurement. Her exact height remained private throughout her respected Southern California journalism career.

Eliana Moreno Education

Eliana Moreno attended Chapman University in Orange, California, where she prepared for a career in television news. She studied at the university’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts and completed two undergraduate programs. In 2010, Moreno earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in television and broadcast journalism. She also earned a Bachelor of Science in political science that year. Moreover, her training developed her reporting, photography, editing, and live-production abilities. Moreno credited Chapman professors with preparing her for aerial journalism. Her Chapman education later supported her demanding roles with KCAL 9, KCBS 2, NBC4 Los Angeles, and Telemundo 52.

Eliana Moreno Ethnicity

Eliana Moreno’s ethnicity was not publicly confirmed through her professional biography or personal profiles. She was born and raised in Orange County, California, and built her journalism career in Southern California. Moreno spoke fluent Spanish and reported for both English-language and Spanish-language television audiences. Moreover, she worked with NBC4 Los Angeles and Telemundo 52 through NewsChopper4. Her surname, Spanish fluency, and Telemundo career suggest Hispanic or Latino heritage. However, Moreno never publicly identified a specific national background, such as Mexican or Mexican American. Therefore, her exact ancestry remained private, while bilingual reporting formed an important part of her professional identity.

Eliana Moreno Husband | Was Eliana Moreno married?

Eliana Moreno married Jeffery Laabs during a ceremony held at Chapman University. The couple exchanged vows on January 11, 2014, several years after Moreno completed her undergraduate studies there. Chapman later identified her as Eliana Moreno Laabs while announcing their marriage through its alumni class notes. However, Moreno continued using Eliana Moreno professionally throughout her television journalism career. She rarely discussed her marriage publicly or shared details about her husband’s career and background. Moreover, Jeffery remained outside the media spotlight while Moreno reported for NBC4 and Telemundo 52. Eliana Moreno’s husband was Jeffery Laabs, although their relationship remained largely private.

Eliana Moreno Children | Did the NBC4 Reporter Have Kids?

Eliana Moreno did not publicly identify any biological or adopted children. Her biographies focused on aerial journalism, education, and breaking-news work across Southern California. Moreover, her public social media biography described her as a dog and chicken mom. That wording referred to her animals rather than confirming human children. No verified information names an Eliana Moreno son or daughter. Readers should also avoid confusing her with the Scripps News producer who shares her name. That different journalist has a son named Elijah. The NBC4 aerial reporter kept family matters private, and available information does not establish that she had children.

Eliana Moreno Family | Parents, Siblings and Background

Eliana Moreno grew up in Orange County, California, where her family supported the foundation of her early life. However, the NBC4 aerial journalist never publicly named her mother or father in biographies. Details about Eliana Moreno’s parents remain private, including their occupations, heritage, and backgrounds. Likewise, Moreno did not confirm whether she had brothers or sisters. Her public profiles focused primarily on her education, journalism career, and NewsChopper4 assignments. Moreover, she avoided placing relatives under media attention. Although her family mourns a respected journalist, their identities remain outside the public record. Moreno clearly protected her parents and siblings from publicity.

Eliana Moreno Death | NBC Helicopter Crash in Chatsworth

Eliana Moreno died on September 15, 2026, when NewsChopper4 crashed in Chatsworth, Los Angeles. The NBC4 aerial reporter was covering a collision involving an SUV and a Metro bus. The NBC helicopter crash killed Moreno, the pilot, and one person on the ground. Emergency crews reached the 9100 block of North Mason Avenue shortly before 7 p.m.

The helicopter struck an area between commercial buildings before flames engulfed the wreckage. Fire also damaged four vehicles and two storage containers. More than 70 firefighters responded, controlled the blaze, and searched the severely damaged aircraft. Another person received hospital treatment following the Chatsworth helicopter crash.

NBC4 and Telemundo 52 expressed condolences to the victims’ families, friends, and colleagues. Meanwhile, the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration opened investigations. Officials had not announced the crash cause. Eliana Moreno’s death ended a respected career covering Southern California emergencies from the sky.

Eliana Moreno Career | NBC4 Aerial Journalist’s Journey

Eliana Moreno began her journalism career after graduating from Chapman University in 2010 with two bachelor’s degrees. Before entering aerial news, she reported and anchored for Orange County outlets in English and Spanish.

Moreno joined Angel City Air in September 2010 and became an aerial photojournalist in Los Angeles. She worked with KCAL 9 and KCBS 2, covering wildfires, police pursuits, crashes, and other breaking stories. Her demanding role combined reporting, aerial photography, video editing, and live narration from a helicopter.

Moreno later became the familiar NewsChopper4 reporter for NBC4 Los Angeles and Telemundo 52. Moreover, her bilingual skills helped her serve English-speaking and Spanish-speaking viewers across Southern California. She covered major emergencies, including the Skirball Fire, while explaining evacuations and changing conditions from above. Eliana Moreno built her career through accuracy, versatility, and calm communication. Her aerial reporting gave viewers critical information that ground-based cameras could not always capture.

Eliana Moreno Salary | NBC4 Earnings

Eliana Moreno earned her income through a career in aerial journalism. She served NBC4 Los Angeles and Telemundo 52 as a reporter and photojournalist. However, Eliana Moreno’s exact salary remained private, since her employers never disclosed her contract. Comparable NBCUniversal photographers earned about $67,307 annually in 2026. Meanwhile, Los Angeles photographers received between $58,623 and $97,268, depending on experience. Moreno managed filming, reporting, editing, and live narration during demanding helicopter assignments. Therefore, her estimated annual salary likely ranged from $67,000 to $97,000. Overtime, union agreements, experience, and specialized assignments may have increased her career earnings.

Eliana Moreno Net Worth 2026

Eliana Moreno had an estimated net worth of $1 million in 2026. She built her wealth through more than 15 years of successful television journalism. Moreno worked as an aerial photojournalist for NBC4 Los Angeles and Telemundo 52. Previously, she covered breaking news for KCAL 9 and KCBS 2. Her income came from reporting, helicopter photography, video editing, and live broadcasts. Moreover, her bilingual skills supported her long-running Southern California media career.

Biography Summary