ABC News’ This Week With George Stephanopoulos executive producer, Dax Tejera, passed away at the age of 37 on December 23. Kim Godwin, network president, confirmed through a staff memo that he died of heart attack. He left behind his wife, Veronica, and their two children, Sofia, 2, and Ella, 5 months.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Godwin stated, “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. That same love was extended to his precious girls.”
“Our thoughts are with his wife, Veronica, the couple’s two young daughters, and the entire Tejera family,” she continued. “On this Christmas Eve, hug your loved ones a little tighter. And please lean on each another.”
Tejara’s colleagues offered tributes to him on social media following the news of his death.
John Quiñones, ABC news correspondent, tweeted, “Such a heartbreaking day for all of us at @abcnews. Dax Tejera was not only the brightest – most compassionate – executive producer I’ve ever worked with, he was also a dear friend. On this Christmas Day, my thoughts are with his wife, Veronica and his two baby daughters.”
Meanwhile, ABC News Senior National correspondent, Jim Avila, wrote, “Dax was a groundbreaking ep. So important to abc as if not first latino, among the first to rise to executive producer level. I worked with him at fusion and abc. Always supportive and damn good. I will miss him. And feel for his young family.”
Tejera has worked for MSNBC and ABC throughout his career. In 2017, he joined ABC as a Washington D.C.-based senior producer and in 2020, he started This Week which earned him two Emmy nominations for covering politics. He was able to share an Instagram post on the day of his passing, featuring a photo of himself with President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.
Based on the tweets by MSNBC Vice President Jesse Rodriguez, he said, “I saw him just a few weeks ago at the White House, celebrating the holidays. He gave me a hug. He wanted me to tell my partner how much fun we had back in the day. Dax. Gone too soon. A month shy of his 38th birthday. Almost to the day. My heart breaks for his family, Veronica and the girls.”
