WAOW morning anchor dies over weekend

Metro Wire Staff

WAOW’s morning anchor Neena Pacholke has died.

Pacholke, a native of Flordia, was the popular TV personality on the station’s morning show. The station announced on Aug. 28 that Pacholke had died suddenly on Saturday.

“The entire team here at News 9 are absolutely devastated by the loss as we know so many others are as well,” a statement from WAOW reads in part. “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.”

Pacholke started with WAOW in spring 2017 after graduating from the University of South Florida. She worked her way into an anchor role in early 2019, then signed an extension to her contract in 2021.

During her career, she also appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live and Trevor Noah’s The Daily Show.

While the cause of Pacholke’s death was not immediately released, WAOW urged readers to seek mental health resources if they were struggling. WAOW compiled a list of resources here.

The station plans to publish more information later this week.

WAOW is an occasional news partner with the Point/Plover Metro Wire. We extend our most sincere condolences to the Channel 9 news team and the Pacholke family.