The news world is mourning one of its own.
Dax Tejera, the executive producer of the ABC News' This Week With George Stephanopoulos, died on Dec. 23 at age 37 after suffering a heart attack, network president Kim Godwin confirmed in a memo to staff. He is survived by his wife Veronica and their two daughters Sofia, 2, and Ella, 5 months.
"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 wrote, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "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."
Shortly after the devastating news was shared, Tejera's colleagues took to social media to honor their friend.
"Such a heartbreaking day for all of us at @abcnews," tweeted ABC News correspondent John Quiñones. "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."
Added Jim Avila, ABC News Senior National correspondent, "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."
Throughout his career, Tejera worked for MSNBC and ABC, joining the latter as a Washington, D.C.-based senior producer in 2017. Three years later, in early 2020, he began at This Week, ultimately earning two Emmy nominations for his coverage of politics. His last Instagram post, shared the day he died, featured a picture of him with President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.
"I saw him just a few weeks ago at the White House, celebrating the holidays," MSNBC Vice President Jesse Rodriguez shared in a series of tweets. "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."