Advertisement
José Alberto Suárez: 5 things to know about Telemundo executive killed in Samburu helicopter crash
20th August, 2026 07:32 AM
Telemundo executive José Alberto Suárez was among seven people killed when a tourist helicopter crashed in Samburu County on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
The helicopter, which was carrying six passengers and a pilot, crashed near the foothills of Mount Ololokwe while travelling from Loisaba Conservancy towards the Ewaso Nyiro area. All seven people on board died.
Here are five things to know about Suárez:
- He was a senior Telemundo executive
Suárez was the president and general manager of Telemundo 31, Telemundo 49 and Telemundo Fort Myers–Naples. He was 55 at the time of his death.
He had spent more than 18 years working with Telemundo and NBC-owned stations, building a career in US television news and management.
- He had more than 25 years of media experience
Suárez had more than 25 years of experience in the television industry and had previously led several stations, including Telemundo 33, Telemundo Fresno, Telemundo Las Vegas, Telemundo Utah and Telemundo San Antonio.
He was known for his work in local television news and had received several awards during his career, including Emmy and Associated Press awards.
- He was promoted to his latest role in 2024
Suárez was promoted to his latest position as president and general manager of the three Florida-based Telemundo stations in February 2024.
NBCUniversal colleagues described him as a respected leader, mentor and friend who cared about his teams and the communities served by the stations.
- A Florida native
Joe Alberto Suarez was a Florida native, the Fresno Bee reports.
- He was in Kenya for a safari
Suárez was among the passengers aboard a Eurocopter EC130 B4 operated by Lady Lori Helicopters.
According to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, the aircraft was flying from Loisaba Conservancy to the Ewaso Nyiro area when it crashed at about 9:13 a.m. on August 19.
The crash occurred in rugged terrain near Mount Ololokwe, with emergency responders facing difficult access and an active fire at the site.
- He was among five Americans killed in the Samburu crash
Suárez was among the passengers aboard a Eurocopter EC130 B4 operated by Lady Lori Helicopters, which was flying from Loisaba Conservancy to the Ewaso Nyiro area when it crashed near Mount Ololokwe at about 9:13 a.m. on August 19.
He was one of five Americans killed in the crash, alongside Ecuador’s intelligence chief Michele Sensi-Contugi and his wife, Stephany Hollihan Vásconez, and Kenyan pilot Josh Outram. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority has launched an investigation to establish the cause of the crash.
NBCUniversal mourned Suárez as a “deeply respected leader”, describing his death as a devastating loss to his colleagues, friends and loved ones.
