Mairena, 52, and colleague Manuel Juárez were driving from the
city of Catacamas to Juticalpa, in the province of Olancho, when gunmen
intercepted their car and fired at least 26 times, according to local press reports
and CPJ interviews. Mairena died at the scene, and Juárez was pronounced dead at
a hospital in Juticalpa, according to local news outlets.
The two worked together on news and talk programs, typically
avoiding sensitive topics, local journalists told CPJ. Contacted by CPJ, police
would not discuss any aspect of their investigation.