The remains of a 39-year-old man have been found in California after he was dropped off by an Uber and went missing in November 2021.
Beau Mann, who founded digital health company Sober Grid to help people struggling with addiction, went missing after his Uber ride came to an end in Santa Monica on 30 November, 2021.
A statement from Sober Grid said that Mann had stopped at a 7/11 close to his office at around 2pm before getting into the Uber, and that he ‘texted 911 while inside’ the car.
“He was dropped off in Santa Monica. Despite exhaustive efforts to find him, Beau was never heard from again,” the statement said.
Sober Grid described Mann as the company’s ‘light’, explaining that he made it his mission to help others after his own experiences with drugs and addiction in his ‘early years’.
“In 2015, he created the first digital app to house a 24/7, online, worldwide community for people in recovery,” the company said.
Mann’s family has now released a statement to confirm that his remains were found on the 2900 block of Santa Monica Boulevard, about a mile from where his Uber dropped him off.
Mann’s remains were discovered by authorities in a courtyard area near an abandoned building, and his identity was confirmed through dental records.
“At this point, we have no further details on what led to his death,” his family said. The Los Angeles County Coroner is still working to determine Mann’s cause of death.
Last year, Mann’s story was featured on Dateline’s ‘Missing in America’ series, which featured an interview with his fiancé, Jason Abate.
Abate told the programme he had last spoken to Mann on November 29, 2021. “He told me he was going to bed,” Jason said.
A police officer working on the case told Dateline at the time that the Uber was being investigated, but that foul play was not suspected.
A representative for Uber also told Dateline that the incident had not been reported.
The family’s statement described Mann as a ‘beautiful soul’, stressing that he ‘spent the better part of his life helping others’.
“We miss his infectious smile and positive attitude every day,” the family added. “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.”
Sober Grid credited Mann with having ‘saved thousands of lives’, and said that the company he created will continue to ‘save thousands of more’.
A section about Mann on its website assures the team ‘continues to work diligently to protect his legacy and continue our Mission’.
Following the discovery of Mann’s remains, authorities in California are now asking anyone who may have information about Mann’s death to contact SMPD Detective Ismael Tavera at 310-458-2256, [email protected], or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at 310-458-8427.