Tech CEO found dead under mysterious circumstances, family seeks answers
(KTLA) – A vigil was held on Saturday night for Beau Mann, a 39-year-old tech CEO who was found dead under mysterious circumstances.
Mann’s body was found in Santa Monica, California on May 8 – almost a year and a half after his disappearance.
He was last seen alive on November 30, 2021 at a 7-Eleven in the Studio City neighborhood of Los Angeles. An Uber picked him up from the store and dropped him off in Santa Monica.
He had been in contact with his family two days earlier, but a text message to 911 was the last anyone heard from him.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, Mann’s remains were found in the courtyard of an abandoned lot on Santa Monica Boulevard. The remains were identified by the county coroner from dental records.
However, the cause of death was not disclosed.
His family believes a crime was involved, citing that he bought a cone of ice cream from the store before taking an Uber, a sign he wanted to go home.
Mann was the founder of SoberGrid, an addict recovery app. Mann was planning his wedding to fiancé Jason Abate when he disappeared.
“What worried me was the fact that he went to 7-Eleven and had programmed his target and was supposed to go home after that,” Abate said. “So he went to 7-Eleven and bought some things to take home like cleaning supplies and a big bag of ice cream because anyone who knows Beau knows he likes to chew on ice and his ice maker didn’t work. So none of this surprised me.”
What Abate couldn’t explain was a sudden change of direction during the Uber ride home.
“If someone is going to do their grocery shopping and buy ice cream to go home and they want them to go home there, then suddenly changing their address to 1338 Berkeley St. doesn’t make sense for them. and during that change he was texting 911 and using the app’s emergency feature,” Abate said.
Mann’s family hired a private investigator to find out the details.
“There are many questions and I wish I had the answers,” said Julie Gallegos, a friend of Mann’s. “It’s just heartbreaking because he was such a generous person that he deserved so much better.”
On Facebook, his family and friends thanked those who helped find Mann:
“Beau was a wonderful soul who spent most of his life helping others. We miss his contagious smile and positive attitude every day. We know his spirit will live on through his company and passion, Sober Grid, as it continues to help those struggling with addiction.”
Anyone with information regarding Mann’s death is asked to contact the Santa Monica Police Department at 310-395-9931.
