Suicide confirmed as cause of death for 27-year-old news anchor Neena Pacholke
Wisconsin’s Wausau Police Department and the Marathon County Medical Examiner’s Office have confirmed that 27-year-old Wisconsin news anchor Neena Pacholke died as a result of suicide.
Background: Wausau Police Department officers were dispatched to a home on Wausau’s southeast side in the morning hours on Saturday, August 27, to check the welfare of Pacholke who reportedly made suicidal statements. After receiving no answer at the door, officers entered the home and found Pacholke deceased.
Police went on to conduct a death investigation, made family notifications, and confirmed her cause of death as suicide. Police said that they won’t be releasing any additional information at this time. The Wausau Police Department and Marathon County Medical Examiner’s Office extended their condolences to the family, friends, and the many impacted by Pacholke’s death.
From her family at WAOW-TV in Wisconsin:
(Sept. 1) Neena Pacholke, our beloved morning anchor passed away suddenly Saturday at 27 years old.
The entire team here at News 9 are absolutely devastated by the loss as we know so many others are as well. 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.
Neena came to News 9 in 2017 after graduating from University of South Florida. She started as a reporter, but because of her warmth and dedication quickly moved into a main anchor role. She spent several years as our morning anchor where so many people welcomed her into their home.
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month; and suicidal thoughts can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-14, the 3rd leading cause of death among people aged 15-24, and the 12th leading cause of death overall in the U.S.
Neena’s sister Kaitlynn told Today that Neena, who had recently celebrated five years at the station and was engaged to be married in October, “could make anyone feel incredible.”
“My sister was by far the happiest person I thought I knew,” Kaitlynn told the Times.
“Sometimes you just don’t know what people are going through, no matter how much you think you know someone,” ~ Yahoo! News
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available 24/7. Hope is a phone call away. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org to reach the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. To connect with Crisis Support in Marathon, Langlade, and Lincoln counties, call the North Central Health Care Crisis Hotline at 715-845-4326 or 800-799-0122. Click on the link below for a list of area resources and stay connected to our Facebook page as we share additional information on suicide in the month of September.
For more on Neena Pacholke and a life that ended all too soon, see the post below from “Inside Edition.”
(Source: Wausau Police Department)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Follow Richard on Facebook and Twitter
