Who Was Jose Suarez? Top Telemundo Executive Killed in Chopper Crash in Kenya that Left Five Americans Dead

A senior Telemundo executive was among seven people killed Wednesday when a helicopter crashed and caught fire near the foothills of Mount Ololokwe in northern Kenya. Florida native José Alberto Suárez, 55, was aboard the helicopter when it crashed around 9:13 a.m. near Mount Ololokwe in Kenya’s Samburu County, the country’s Civil Aviation Authority said.

NBCUniversal News Chairman Cesar Conde, along with NBCU Local Chairman Valari Staab and Telemundo station group president Jose Cancela shared the tragic news with employees in a memo. The announcement confirmed the death of José Alberto Suárez in the helicopter crash in Kenya, offering colleagues details about the devastating loss of the longtime Telemundo executive.

Tragic End

“We are heartbroken to share the tragic news that José Suárez, the president and general manager of the Telemundo-owned stations in Orlando, Tampa and Fort Myers, was killed in a helicopter accident in Kenya. José was a deeply respected leader and beloved friend and colleague across NBCU Local and NBCU News Group,” the memo reportedly read.

“José was an exceptional colleague and mentor to many. He cared deeply about his teams, the communities they served and the essential role our stations play in people’s lives. He brought energy, humor, warmth and a strong sense of purpose to his work, and his impact was felt far beyond the stations he led.

“The suddenness and circumstances of José’s passing make this loss especially difficult to comprehend. Our hearts are with his loved ones, and with all of José’s colleagues and friends across NBCUniversal who are grieving this terrible loss.”

Before taking on a leadership role at the station, Suárez worked at WTVJ in Miami as its director of creative services and programming.

Suárez earned several honors throughout his career, including a Lone Star Emmy, a Suncoast Emmy, three Emmys for Best Daily Newscast and multiple awards from the Associated Press.

Unexpected Tragedy

NBC remembered the 55-year-old executive as “a visionary leader committed to expanding and growing Telemundo’s markets” during his 18 years with the company. Suárez and Duarte were among six tourists, including four Americans, aboard the helicopter during the ill-fated safari Wednesday morning.

The group was traveling from the Loisaba Conservancy to the Ewaso Nyiro area in Samburu County when the helicopter crashed at about 9:13 a.m. in the rugged foothills of Mount Ololokwe, according to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority.

All six tourists and the Kenyan pilot were killed. Authorities have not yet determined what caused the crash.