Telemundo executive among 7 killed in Kenya helicopter crash

Telemundo executive José Alberto Suárez was among seven people killed in a helicopter crash in northern Kenya on Wednesday, Aug. 19.

According to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), the helicopter was carrying seven people when it went down near Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County, a remote area known for its wildlife and scenic landscapes. All seven people on board died in the crash.

Suárez, 55, was the president and general manager of major American Spanish TV broadcast networks Telemundo 31, Telemundo 49, and Telemundo Fort Myers-Naples. He had worked with Telemundo and NBC stations for nearly two decades.

NBC Universal News Group confirmed Suárez's death in a message to employees, remembering him as a respected leader and colleague who cared deeply about his teams and the communities they served.

Five of the seven victims were American citizens, according to the US State Department. The department said it was coordinating with Kenyan authorities, while the US Embassy was providing consular assistance to the victims’ families.

Among the other victims were Miami businessman Roger Edward Duarte, Ecuadorian fashion designer Stephany Maria Hollihan Vasconez, her husband Michele Sensi-Contugi, and Kenyan pilot Josh Outram.

According to a post by Lady Lori Helicopters, the aircraft’s operator, the flight was carrying guests of luxury travel company &Beyond. It had been traveling from the Loisaba wildlife conservancy toward the Ewaso Nyiro River when it crashed at around 9:13 a.m. local time.

The crash occurred in rugged terrain, and the aircraft caught fire, complicating rescue efforts. Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene, but there were no survivors.

The KCAA has launched an investigation into the crash. The cause has not yet been determined.