Wisconsin TV Anchor Neena Pacholke, Known For ‘Massive’ Smile, Dies At 27 By Suicide

Neena Pacholke, a news anchor and former college basketball player who was living and working in Wisconsin, has died at the age of 27.

Her sister Kaitlynn confirmed that Pacholke died from suicide.

Pacholke was born and raised in Tampa, Florida where she and her sister played basketball together at Freedom High School.

“Her smile was massive,” Kaitlynn recalled. “She could just make you feel like you were the most important person, whether she knew you for five minutes or her whole life.”

She was reportedly known as a 3-point shot specialist throughout her career in high school and at the University of South Florida, and her own mother was her high school basketball coach.

Pacholke had moved to Wisconsin to work as a morning news anchor for WAOW, a local ABC affiliate in Wausau. She was continuing her passion for sports by getting into skiing, and also supporting the Green Bay Packers.

Her sister said Pacholke had not struggled openly with depression.

“Sometimes you just don’t know what someone is going through, no matter how much you think you know someone,” Kaitlynn added.

She later considered the option that Neena was so generous with others ultimately “at the expense of not caring about herself.”

She is survived by her sister, mother, father and fiancé.

If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, help is available. Call or text 988 for 24/7 support.