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.