(UnitedVoice.com) – More than 800,000 Americans have a heart attack every year in the United States. There’s a common misconception that the condition only happens to older people. The recent death of an ABC News producer proves that isn’t the case.
Two days before Christmas, on December 23, ABC News executive producer Dax Tejera, 37, suffered a fatal heart attack. He produced “This Week with George Stephanopoulos,” airing Sundays. The Hollywood Reporter published a memo the network’s president, Kim Godwin, sent to employees.
Godwin said Tejera had an “energy, passion, and love” for the show he produced, telling staff it was the same love he gave his daughters. The ABC News president extended the company’s condolences to his family.
ABC anchor Rachel Scott announced Tejera’s death to “World News Tonight” viewers on Christmas Eve.
.@RachelvScott reports on the sudden passing of Dax Tejera, the Executive Producer of @ABCThisWeek. In a memo to employees, @ABC President Kim Godwin said that Dax's passion and love for the show shined every Sunday morning. pic.twitter.com/Cl7P5EJ1O5
— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) December 25, 2022
Javier Morgado, a former colleague and current CNN executive producer, posted a tribute with photos of Tejera and his family.
Heartbroken to learn that my friend @DaxTejera, the executive producer of @ThisWeekABC, died from a heart attack. I first met Dax 15 years ago when he worked for me at the @TODAYshow. He accomplished so much since then. His wife Veronica and daughters are in my thoughts tonight. pic.twitter.com/KJOhOS8vZr
— Javi Morgado (@javimorgado) December 24, 2022
Tejera graduated from Dartmouth College. He previously worked at Fusion Media Network as an executive producer for famed journalist Jorge Ramos. He also spent time working for NBC.
The producer leaves behind his wife, Veronica, and two daughters, Ella Rose and Sofia.
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