Mexican television presenter Debora Estrella and her flight instructor died instantly when their small aircraft crashed during a flying lesson on Saturday, September 20, 2025, in the municipality of Garcia in Nuevo Leon state. The 43-year-old host of Teledario Matutino and instructor Bryan Leonardo Ballesteros Argueta, 22, were both killed when their two-seater Cessna plummeted to the ground at approximately 6:50 p.m.
Dramatic video footage captured the moment the aircraft hurtled through the sky at high speed and low altitude before crashing into the Parque Industrial Ciudad Mitras. Witnesses recorded the plane performing aerial maneuvers and spiraling uncontrollably before impact. Emergency crews responded to the scene but confirmed both occupants had died upon arrival.
Hours before the fatal crash, Estrella had shared an enthusiastic Instagram post from Aeropuerto Internacional del Norte in Apodaca, featuring a photograph of the aircraft. Estrella captioned the image with “Guess what?” in Spanish, expressing excitement about her upcoming flying lesson. Her final social media post that morning showed her in the studio wearing a black outfit with the caption “Buenos dias.”
Estrella had worked for MULTIMEDIA television since 2018, gaining recognition as the host of Telediario Matutino broadcast in Monterrey. She also contributed to Milenio Television news segments and hosted weekend programming for Telediario in Mexico City through Channel 6. The network confirmed her death in a statement expressing shock and deep sorrow over the loss of their colleague.
Garcia Mayor Manuel Guerra Cavasos confirmed the tragedy through social media, stating he was at the crash site where officials verified that a light aircraft had crashed, killing two people near the customs area. Local officials reported no additional injuries from the incident. Civil Protection teams from Nuevo Leon responded to the scene and assisted with the investigation.
The General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics and the state prosecutor’s office have launched investigations to determine the cause of the crash. Early reports suggest the possibility of mechanical failure, though official findings have not been released. Aviation authorities are examining all circumstances surrounding the incident as part of their comprehensive investigation.
Colleagues and viewers across Mexico have paid tribute to Estrella following news of her death. Fellow presenter Maria Julia Lafuente noted that Estrella had planned to obtain a pilot’s license and emphasized how much she would be missed in the newsroom. Lafuente indicated that the studio would feel extraordinarily empty, describing Estrella as a woman who lived life to the fullest and always gave her all to her work.
Estrella’s ex-partner, journalist Jose Luis Garcia, initially reported the crash on social media without knowing she was aboard the aircraft. Garcia described how locals had recorded the plane crashing near the river in the industrial complex. His social media post detailed how civil protection officials in Nuevo Leon confirmed two fatalities in the crash near the Ciudad Mitras industrial complex.
Beyond her broadcasting career, Estrella was known for her charitable work supporting children’s education and women’s empowerment initiatives. Friends described her as fearless and adventurous, noting that her decision to pursue flight training aligned with her spirited personality. She regularly shared behind-the-scenes glimpses of her work at MMTV with her social media followers.
The crash site investigation continued as authorities worked to piece together the sequence of events leading to the tragedy. Helicopter footage showed rescue crews assessing the wreckage and confirming there were no survivors from the small aircraft. The incident marked a significant loss for Mexican television journalism, with tributes pouring in from across the broadcasting industry.
Viewers and colleagues filled Estrella’s social media pages with messages of grief and remembrance. Many praised her professionalism and warmth, with fans expressing gratitude for her years of morning television service. The broadcasting community mourned the loss of a respected journalist who had built a strong following through her engaging presentation style and dedication to her craft.
