A Wisconsin news anchor and former college basketball star described by family as the ‘happiest person’ they knew has taken her own life in a shock suicide six weeks before her wedding.
Neena Pacholke, 27, was found dead at her apartment in Wisconsin on Saturday.
Her sister Kaitlynn has since confirmed her death to be a suicide, telling The Tampa Bay Times in a heartbreaking tribute: ‘My sister was by far the happiest person I thought I knew.
‘Sometimes you just don’t know what people are going through, no matter how much you think you know someone…my sister had access to every resource you could imagine.’
Neena and her fiancé were due to be married on October 12. It’s unclear if they were living together.
Police were called to her home at 11am on Saturday morning.
In a heartbreaking Facebook tribute, she said: ‘I know she’s not in pain anymore and I am thankful for that.
‘Neena- I love you more than you could ever understand. You were my very best friend. My whole world. I’m so sorry I couldn’t save you.’
Neena’s co-anchor Brendan Mackey claimed his colleague was ‘the brightest light in the room’ and praised her as ‘an incredible friend… a role model’.
A graduate of Freedom High School in Tampa, Neena was a star point guard and team captain of the basketball team who managed an impressive 25-4 record in Neena’s senior year.
She turned down multiple offers to play professional women’s basketball to pursue a career in news.
In a statement on its website, WAOW, the network she worked for, said: ‘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.
‘We ask you to please keep her family in your thoughts at this time as we all cope with the loss.
‘We will have much more on the life and legacy Neena had later in the week.’
Her family is now raising money on GoFundMe.
‘Neena radiated light and love wherever she went. She was a force of kindness, and her laughter and smile were contagious.’