TV anchor Neena Pacholke, who graduated from USF, dies at age 27

Annette Jones, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
·3 min read
5

Reader warning, the following story deals with the subject of suicide.

Though she worked in Wisconsin as a television news anchor, friends and fans of Neena Pacholke in Florida mourned her death.

The WAOW-TV anchor was a University of South Florida women's basketball point guard and grew up in Tampa. WAOW is an ABC affiliate TV station.

The 27-year-old Pacholke died Saturday at age 27 in an apparent suicide. The Wisconsin morning news anchor was found by police in her home during a welfare check, according to the New York Post.

Wisconsin TV anchor dies at 27, news station announces: 'Absolutely devastated'

Viewers asked to share condolences via social media for WAOW's Neena Pacholke

TV news anchor Neena Pacholke had Florida ties

Before her move to Wisconsin, Pacholke attended university in Hillsborough County at USF, where she received her bachelor's degree in mass communications, according to her Weebly site.

Neena Pacholke was born in Chattanooga, TN but grew up in Tampa, FL, according to her bio on WAOW's website.

She attended University of South Florida where she played women's basketball as a 3-point specialist, according to a Tampa Bay Times article, and helped lead Tampa's Freedom High to the program’s only state tournament berth in 2013.

The University of South Florida's women's basketball Twitter account posted a heartfelt message stating, "The Bulls are heartbroken to learn of the sudden loss of our beloved former teammate Neena Pacholke (2013-16). Our thoughts and prayers are with Neena and her family during this extremely difficult time."

During her final semester at college, Pacholke was an anchor and reporter for Florida Focus, a news brief produced by USF students. Pacholke graduated from the university in 2017.

Was Neena Pacholke engaged?

According to the New York Post and Tampa Bay Times, Pacholke was engaged.

Brendan Mackey, Pacholke's co-anchor, shared a tribute: "Everyday she made people smile, whether that was through a TV screen or just being an incredible friend. She was so happy and so full of life and a role model."

Neena Pacholke's TV news career

The news of Pacholke's death devastated her colleagues as well as her many viewers who remembered her vibrant on-air and off-air personality.

A pinned post on the Facebook page of News 9 WAOW encouraged commenters to share their favorite memories or condolences.

One commenter with the username Adriana Torres WBAY, remembered Pacholke as "the sweetest girl with the brightest smile."

What to know: 988 becomes the new 3-digit suicide prevention hotline on July 16

Suicide lifeline launch: New 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline launched as Sarasota faces mental health crisis

Television news anchor dies: WAOW anchor Neena Pacholke dies; viewers asked to share condolences via social media

Neena Pacholke joined WAOW in 2017 where she began as a multimedia journalist and worked her way up to co-anchor as well as producing and anchoring a morning newscast.

As of July 16, 2022, nationwide, people in mental health crisis can reach out for help via an easy-to-remember, three-digit dialing code, 998, that takes the place of the 10-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline phone number.
As of July 16, 2022, nationwide, people in mental health crisis can reach out for help via an easy-to-remember, three-digit dialing code, 998, that takes the place of the 10-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline phone number.

What is the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline?

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text the 988 Lifeline, 24/7, to be connected to trained mental health crisis counselors and, if needed, be directed to a local mobile response team or additional resources.

The new 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a nationwide program launched in mid-July to help make mental health care more accessible.

The Lifeline’s network consists of over 200 crisis centers and has been in operation since 2005, according to the website 988lifeline.org.

Experts hope the new three-digit number will be easier to remember. The former National Suicide Hotline number, 800-273-8255, will always remain active and available to people in emotional distress or suicidal crisis, with calls routed to 988.

Jones is a digital producer for the USA TODAY Network-Florida.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Neena Pacholke bio: TV news anchor with Florida ties dies at age 27