Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Family Confirms Body Found In Golf Course Pond Is Missing AIG VP
Omar and Diane Meza (Photo via the Find Omar Meza Facebook page)
()
The family of missing AIG executive Omar Meza has confirmed that it was his body investigators found in a pond at the JW Marriott Desert Springs yesterday.Police pulled Meza's body out of a man-made pond near the 18th hole of a golf course on the grounds of the JW Marriott Desert Springs Hotel in Palm Desert yesterday at around 2:15 p.m., USA Today reports.
The coroner's office has not confirmed it was Meza, but on the Facebook page Find Omar Meza, which has been posting updates since Meza's disappearance last week, the family issued the following statement:
"We are with heavy hearts tonight as we announce the passing of Omar Meza. He was a very loved son, husband, brother & friend. We would like to take this time to grieve his passing and ask that everyone please respect our privacy at this time. We would like to thank all of the supporters this past week. It brings tears to our eyes to see how well loved Omar was, he will be missed by many."
Meza went missing last Thursday during a business trip after having dinner with coworkers in nearby Indian Wells. Meza called his wife, Diane Meza, around 11 p.m. to tell her he was returning to his hotel room at the Courtyard Marriott—about a mile and a half from the JW—and would call her then. Meza's coworkers said they then saw him leave the restaurant in an Uber.
Support for LAist comes from
Meza never made it to the Courtyard Marriott, however. Security cameras show him entering the lobby of the JW Marriott, then different cameras pick him up walking outside the hotel near a parking lot. Investigators later found his jacket and wallet on the resort's golf course. Meza was reported missing Friday morning after missing his meetings.
Diane Meza told reporters earlier that they had gotten in a car crash in March that left Meza with some memory loss. She was concerned he may have gotten disoriented. She also said she feared the Uber driver may have mistakenly dropped Meza off at the JW, not the Courtyard, which would explain why he entered the lobby and then was later seen outside.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance. -
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
Best of LAist