The body of a California tech CEO was found in the suburbs of Los Angeles more than a year after he went missing after taking an Uber ride, police announced on Monday.
Beau Mann, 39, took an Uber ride in Santa Monica and was never seen alive again.
Beau Mann’s remains were identified by his dental records, according to a statement from his family shared on Facebook and were found around a mile from where the car dropped him off that day, according to the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD).
“Human remains were found in the courtyard of an abandoned property in the 2900 block of Santa Monica Boulevard,” the SMPD statement identifying Mann said.
The cause of death has not yet been determined by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner, police said.
Hoping to combat an increase in violent crime, the Los Angeles Police Department released a "Step Away LA" public service announcement urging residents to avoid violence, on Sept. 28, 2022. Screenshot via YouTube/Los Angeles Police Department
Mann co-founded the health app Sober Grid in 2015 as an online space to help people who suffer from addiction that provides mental health addiction care in the United States and internationally with services including peer recovery counseling and social networking, according to the company.
“We have learned from Santa Monica, California police that the remains of our beloved founder Beau Mann have been discovered,” the company wrote after the announcement of his remains being found on Monday.
The CEO was last seen on Nov. 30, 2021, and prior to getting in an Uber, Mann had stopped at a 7/11 not far from his office around 2 p.m., according to a statement from Sober Grid.
Mann was then reported missing to the Los Angeles Police Department, officials said.
“He texted 911 while inside the Uber. He was dropped off in Santa Monica. Despite exhaustive efforts to find him, Beau was never heard from again,” the statement said.
Mann’s family and friends reacted to the news of his remains being found after his disappearance, leaving them with no answers.
“We want to thank all of those who helped us search for him and who prayed for Beau’s safe return over the past year and a half. Beau was a beautiful soul who spent the better part of his life helping others. We miss his infectious 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 the grip of addiction,” the family said in a statement provided to CBS Los Angeles.
In a statement on its Facebook page, Sober Grid said that it was a “sad day” for the community. The organization said Mann’s remains were found in a grassy area about a mile away from where he was dropped off by an Uber the day he went missing.
“We hope you will take a moment to think about Beau today. His bright smile and endless energy and compassion will be missed. While he is no longer with us, we know Beau’s spirit will live on in Sober Grid’s mission to help those in need,” the organization said.
Mann’s fiance Jason Abate revealed that Mann was from Texas and moved to California around 2019. Mann reportedly suffered from substance abuse issues growing up and wanted to create a way for people to help each other and stay sober, Abate told NBC’s “Dateline” last year.
“Beau, how can you be gone? How do all of these memories exist so vividly, and you’re gone?” Abate wrote on Facebook on Monday. “I still have your toothbrush where you left it, and every single room in this house has your beautiful spirit attached to it.”
“Beau was a beautiful soul who spent the better part of his life helping others,” Mann’s family said in a statement. “We miss his infectious 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 the grip of addiction.”
Investigators are asking anyone with information about Mann’s case to contact the Santa Monica Police Department.
The Epoch Times reached out to Uber for comment.
Elizabeth Dowell
Author
Elizabeth is a SoCal based reporter covering issues in Los Angeles and throughout the state for The Epoch Times. She is passionate about creating truthful and accurate stories for readers to connect with. When she’s not reporting, she enjoys writing poetry, playing basketball, embarking on new adventures and spending quality time with her family and friends.
