José Alberto Suárez, a longtime NBCUniversal executive who led Telemundo’s television stations in Orlando, Tampa, and Fort Myers-Naples, died on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, in a helicopter crash in Samburu County, in northeastern Kenya. He was 55.
What Happened
Suárez was traveling on a chartered helicopter operated by Lady Lori Helicopters, carrying passengers on a trip with the tourism company &Beyond, when the aircraft went down. All seven people aboard, including the pilot, were killed. There were no survivors.
Suárez was one of four American citizens who died in the crash. Also killed were Michele Sensi-Contugi Ycaza, head of Ecuador’s intelligence center, and his wife, Stephany Hollihan Vásconez, who held both Ecuadorian and American citizenship. A U.S. State Department spokesperson confirmed the Embassy was in contact with local authorities and providing consular assistance to the families involved.
The crash occurred at approximately 9:13 a.m. local time.
Who He Was
At the time of his death, Suárez served as President and General Manager of Telemundo 31 in Orlando, Telemundo 49 in Tampa, and WWDT, which serves the Fort Myers-Naples area. He had worked across NBCUniversal and Telemundo stations for close to two decades, holding leadership roles in Sacramento, Las Vegas, Fresno, Salt Lake City, and San Antonio before moving to Florida.
He was an Emmy Award-winning producer and host, and colleagues who worked with him described someone deeply engaged with the local communities his stations served, on top of his executive responsibilities.
Statements From NBCUniversal
In a memo to employees, NBCUniversal News Group chairman Cesar Conde, NBCU Local chairman Valari Staab, and Telemundo station group president Jose Cancela wrote that they were “heartbroken to share the tragic news” of Suárez’s death, calling him “a deeply respected leader and beloved friend and colleague across NBCU Local and NBCU News Group.”
The memo continued: “José was an exceptional colleague and mentor to many. He cared deeply about his teams, the communities they served and the essential role our stations play in people’s lives. He brought energy, humor, warmth and a strong sense of purpose to his work, and his impact was felt far beyond the stations he led.”
They added that the suddenness and circumstances of his death made the loss “especially difficult to comprehend,” and said the company would share more about how it plans to honor his life and legacy in the days ahead.
A Note on Accuracy
At this early stage, some details of the crash — including its precise cause — have not yet been made public by investigators. This piece reflects what has been confirmed by Variety, NBC News, and other outlets as of August 20, 2026. Any additional details that emerge, including the full list of victims or findings from an investigation, should be treated as developing information rather than settled fact until confirmed by credible reporting.
If you knew José Alberto Suárez or worked with him, our condolences are with you and his family during this difficult time.
Smith Andrew is the Founder and Editor of BiographyCabal. He researches, writes, and edits accurate, engaging, and well-researched biographies of celebrities, entrepreneurs, athletes, influencers, politicians, and other notable public figures. Committed to factual reporting and quality storytelling, Smith ensures every article is reader-focused, informative, and based on reliable sources, helping readers discover the lives, careers, and achievements of influential people around the world.