Austin Beutner, a candidate for mayor of Los Angeles, faces an unimaginable tragedy following the untimely death of his 22-year-old daughter, Emily Beutner. She died at a local hospital on January 6, just one day after Beutner held a public event in Pacific Palisades. The cause of her death has yet to be determined by authorities, who are still conducting an investigation.
In a heartfelt statement, Beutner expressed the profound loss experienced by his family and requested privacy during this difficult time. Emily was a student at Loyola Marymount University and was Beutner’s youngest and only daughter among four children.
As a candidate, Beutner is known for his criticism of current Mayor Karen Bass, particularly regarding her administration’s response to last year’s devastating Palisades fire, which led to the destruction of numerous homes and claimed 12 lives. Beutner’s spokesperson, Jeff Millman, has not commented on how this personal tragedy might influence his campaign moving forward.
Mayor Bass offered her condolences to Beutner and his family, sharing her own experience of losing her daughter and son-in-law in a tragic car accident in 2006. She described the indescribable pain that comes with losing a child, extending her support and willingness to assist the family.
The investigation into Emily Beutner’s death is being handled by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner, which stated that determining the cause of death may take several months due to the need for additional testing.
Despite this personal tragedy, Beutner’s campaign remains active. Following recent developments, he continues to engage with the electorate, including commentary on the decision by real estate developer Rick Caruso not to run for mayor or governor. Beutner is one of several candidates vying to unseat Bass in the upcoming June 2 election, alongside other challengers including reality TV star Spencer Pratt and community advocate Rae Huang.
The emotional weight of this event on Beutner’s campaign remains to be seen. However, it underscores a greater conversation surrounding loss, resilience, and the ongoing quest for understanding in challenging times.