(TAMPA, FLA) — A Wisconsin morning news anchor and University of South Florida graduate apparently took her own life Saturday at age 27.
The former point guard for the USF women’s basketball team, Neena Pacholke, was found dead last weekend after reportedly making suicidal statements.
She was planning to marry Kyle Haase on October 12th, 2022.
The USF Bulls Tweeted this statement:
The Bulls are heartbroken to learn of the sudden loss of our beloved former teammate Neena Pacholke (2013-16). Our thoughts and prayers are with Neena and her family during this extremely difficult time. pic.twitter.com/kMDyBZVsOG
— USF W. Basketball (@USFWBB) August 29, 2022
Neena Pacholke’s family and colleagues are puzzled and stunned because the bubbly blond was seemingly so happy-go-lucky.
The station 9 WAOW released a statement:
“Neena Pacholke, our beloved morning anchor passed away suddenly Saturday. The entire team here at News 9 are absolutely devastated by the loss as we know so many others are as well.”
We are absolutely devastated to share with you all that Neena passed away suddenly. Please keep her family and friends in your thoughts. Feel free to share any favorite memories or condolences in the comments below. https://t.co/yE9eamrjiW
— News 9 WAOW (@WAOW) August 29, 2022
Pacholke grew up in Tampa and played basketball for the University of South Florida and was engaged to be married at the time of her death, her older sister Kaitlynn Pacholke told Tampa Bay Times.
“She was just like a little ball of sunshine, and her smile was massive,” Kaitlynn Pacholke said Monday morning. “My sister was by far the happiest person I thought I knew.”
One of Pacholke’s last posts on Twitter was a retweet from author Jon Gordon about positivity and believing the best is yet to come.
“The best is yet to come.” When you believe it, you’ll take the necessary actions to make it so.
— Jon Gordon (@JonGordon11) August 28, 2022
“We are not positive because life is easy. We are positive because life can be hard,” Gordon wrote in the original tweet. “Give yourself (and others) grace. Speak life and encourage others. Look for the good today. Remember your WHY. Believe the best is yet to come.”
Pacholke did suffer loss after her first love Jordan Harris died of cancer when he was 18.
Harris had been diagnosed with primitive neuroectodermal tumors in 2011 and succumbed to the disease shortly before the two were about to start their freshman year at the University of South Florida.
Her co-anchor Brendan Mackey said Pacholke was “the brightest light in the room” with the “biggest smile and the funniest laugh.”
WAOW hired Pacholke as a multimedia journalist in May 2017 and was promoted to anchor in February 2019.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts call the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org or 211 in Palm Beach County.