ABC News Producer, 37, Died From Choking While Drunk, Medical Examiner Says

A 37-year-old woman ABC News producer who was reported to have died of a heart attack last year actually died from choking while drunk, according to a medical examiner’s report.

Dax Tejera, executive producer of “This Week with George Stephanopoulos,” This was widely reported after ABC News President Kim Goodwin announced that Goodwin had died from a heart attack. But New York City’s Chief Medical Examiner Telled the New York Post on Wednesday the real cause of the young producer’s death was “asphyxia due to obstruction of airway by food bolus complicating acute alcohol intoxication.”

Tejera was at Bobby Van’s 230Park in New York City for a dinner with friends the night of his death, reports the Post. Tejera fell after he allegedly got up from the seat and walked outside to get his meals.

“The server said that he collapsed in the corner, right here outside the restaurant,” According to reports, an employee at the restaurant told the Post. “It was terrible.”

His wife, Veronica, was arrested hours after his death for child endangerment, with police saying the couple left their two daughters — a 2-year-old and a 5-month-old — in a hotel room for an “extended period of time,” Reports Variety. Veronica defended herself, saying she asked her parents to watch her kids while she was at the hospital, but the hotel wouldn’t let them in.

“We had two cameras trained on my children as they slept, and I monitored them closely in the time I was away from them,” She spoke to the Post. “While the girls were unharmed, I realize that it was a poor decision.”

After stints at Fusion, MSNBC and NBC News, Tejera joined ABC News as a reporter in 2017. Tejera began his leadership role in 2017. “This Week,” An early Sunday morning talk program hosted by George Stephanopoulos. per Media Moves.

Rachel Scott, a congressional correspondent for ABC News, said Tejera’s death “has left us shocked and hurt.”

“As EP of ‘This Week with George Stephanopoulos’ Dax’s energy, passion, and love for that show, ABC News, and you, shined every Sunday morning,” Godwin stated. “That same love was extended to his precious girls.”

Godwin said: “Our thoughts are with his wife, Veronica, the couple’s two young daughters, and the entire Tejera family.”

This report was contributed by Daniel Chaitin

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