A Wisconsin news anchor has been found dead at the age of 27, just six weeks before her wedding day.
Neena Pacholke took her own life on Saturday (27 August), her sister Kaitlynn has confirmed.
Reports suggest that Neena was engaged to her fiancé at the time of her death, and the pair were due to tie the knot in October.
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She started out as a basketball player for the University of South Florida before joining 9 WAOW - an ABC television affiliate - as a multimedia journalist. Neena was then promoted to news anchor in 2019.
The elder sibling told Tampa Bay Times: "She was just like a little ball of sunshine, and her smile was massive.
"And she could just make you feel like you were the most important person, whether she knew you for five minutes or her whole life.
"We would be out at coffee and someone would recognize her, and she would lighten them up the way she’s made me feel the last 27 years."
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She added: "My sister was by far the happiest person I thought I knew. Sometimes you just don’t know what people are going through, no matter how much you think you know someone.
"My sister had access to every resource you could imagine. She was loved by everybody. She was so good at her job.
"She just radiated love and positivity, and she just cared so much about pouring into other people, and always put other people first.
"I think she did that at the expense of not caring about herself."
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9 WAOW said in a statement: "The entire team here at News 9 are absolutely devastated by the loss as we know so many others are as well.
"Neena loved this community and the people who lived here. She was a kind person with a big heart and a contagious smile and we will miss her greatly."
Her family are now raising money on GoFundMe to help with funeral costs and to gather donations for mental health resources.
The page description reads: "Neena radiated light and love wherever she went. She was a force of kindness, and her laughter and smile were contagious.
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"She was a beloved morning news anchor at WAOW in Wausau, Wisconsin and inspired her community with her storytelling and positivity.
"We have created this GoFundMe to help collect donations for the Pacholke family as they make funeral preparations.
"Any amount helps and we would appreciate your memories of Neena in the comments below. Any additional money will go to mental health resources."
UNILAD have contacted police for comment.
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If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123
Topics: US News
Anish Vij