Found Deceased CA - Tushar Atre, 50, tech executive, kidnapped, Santa Cruz County, Oct 2019 *ARRESTS*

[ninarosemark]

Sorry for improper titling; first time poster!

Source:
Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office


UNIDENTIFIED BODY FOUND; SEARCH ONGOING.

Atre's girlfriend's car and a yet-unidentified body was found about 14 miles inland from Atre’s home on the 3000 block of Pleasure Point Drive, which is on the coast.

“We cannot confirm the identity of the body that was found yet,” the public information officer for the county sheriff’s office says.

Deputies said more than one suspect kidnapped Atre and forced him into his girlfriend’s SUV. "There is more than one suspect involved,” and that they are “still actively investigating motive of the kidnapping.”

A friend, who also didn’t want to be identified, told KPIX 5 that Atre made enemies over his business deals, and specifically with his company.

However, Glassdoor.com reveals Atre may not have been well-liked by his employees at AtreNet. One poster wrote,”The CEO Tushar Atre doesn’t value anyone, but himself.”

Another poster left a review that said,”Total abusive nightmare! The worst employment experience of my life! You’ve been warned — run away now!”

 

[CoverMeCagney]

Welcome @ninarosemark - it's made it into the UK press

Tech millionaire Tushar Atre feared dead as body is found in BMW | Daily Mail Online

 

[Kip]

Tech millionaire Tushar Atre feared dead as body is found in BMW | Daily Mail Online

More background info about Atre in the DM article.

As far as I've been able to find, the body in the girlfriend's SUV still has not been officially identified.

 

[ninarosemark]

Tech millionaire Tushar Atre feared dead as body is found in BMW | Daily Mail Online

More background info about Atre in the DM article.

As far as I've been able to find, the body in the girlfriend's SUV still has not been officially identified.

That is the most comprehensive article I've seen. They haven't ID'ed the body yet (publicly) but since police continue to request details re: Atre's whereabouts, I'm assuming the body is not likely his?

 

[CoverMeCagney]

That is the most comprehensive article I've seen. They haven't ID'ed the body yet (publicly) but since police continue to request details re: Atre's whereabouts, I'm assuming the body is not likely his?

They'll still be trying to build a picture of what Atre might or might not have done, even if they're confident the body in the car is him.

 

[ninarosemark]

What about his girlfriend's?

 

[Cryptic]

If the businessman is deceased, I am thinking of two broad potential motives: vengeance or ransom.

Facts supporting the ransom possibility might be more likely as the victim was apparently removed from the home instead of say, shot upon opening the door. In support of the vengeance motive, articles report that the victim could was known for aggressive business practices both as head of his company and apparently also in other business capacities.

The suspect pool is also broadened by the fact that the apparent victim routinely posted pictures of the home on social media. Even if he only stated that he lived in "Santa Cruz, CA", an interested person could probably rapidly determine the likely address via the home’s water front location, distinctive design features and say, google earth.

 

[muggles63]

Body found during search for kidnapped Pleasure Point man

 

[CoverMeCagney]

What about his girlfriend's?

I've not seen any appeals for her whereabouts so I'd guess police know where she is. Stranger things have happened, though!

 

[ninarosemark]

If the businessman is deceased, I am thinking of two broad potential motives: vengeance or ransom.

Facts supporting the ransom possibility might be more likely as the victim was apparently removed from the home instead of say, shot upon opening the door. In support of the vengeance motive, articles report that the victim could was known for aggressive business practices both as head of his company and apparently also in other business capacities.

The suspect pool is also broadened by the fact that the apparent victim routinely posted pictures of the home on social media. Even if he only stated that he lived in "Santa Cruz, CA", an interested person could probably rapidly determine the likely address via the home’s water front location, distinctive design features and say, google earth.

I initially thought ransom, and you bring up a good point about how much information this guy shared from the interior of his home on social media... his terrible opsec would help a potential kidnapper plan it out pretty well. But *someone* had time to place a 911 call...

 

[ninarosemark]

Body found during search for kidnapped Pleasure Point man

“We have investigators and detectives. We also have air support up in the Old San Jose Soquel road area. They’re investigating looking for evidence anything that can lead us to exactly what occurred,” Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office PIO Ashley Keehn said.

The Sheriff's Office said someone living in the home called 911 and saw the vehicle, which belongs to Atre's girlfriend, leaving the area. Investigators said they are looking for multiple suspects, but do not have any information about why he may have been kidnapped.

 

[CoverMeCagney]

The Sheriff's Office said someone living in the home called 911 and saw the vehicle, which belongs to Atre's girlfriend, leaving the area.

Sounds to me like it was probably the girlfriend who made the 911 call and saw the vehicle leave, or someone else who was staying over in the house. At least we know it wasn't Atre who made the call.

 

[ninarosemark]

Sounds to me like it was probably the girlfriend who made the 911 call and saw the vehicle leave, or someone else who was staying over in the house. At least we know it wasn't Atre who made the call.

They took her car but not her... hmm wonder if she had any connection to this!

 

[Cryptic]

But *someone* had time to place a 911 call...

I am guessing that the call was made by the girl friend as well.

Excluding the possibility that they had a friend staying over, the home is large, does not seem to be at the permanent live in staff type level. My guess is that any staff arrive in the morning and leave in the evening, or perhaps even earlier.

Even the number of staff could well be limited as the victim is not married and does not appear to have young children. A cleaner(s) for sure. Perhaps a cook and/ or driver depending on his tastes and needs?

The fact that he was not married would seem to reduce the need for a full time cook though. A driver maybe a better candidate. My vague understanding is that some businessmen do not drive themselves to work, meetings etc in order to have their mind fresh on arrival.

 

[GuyfromCanada]

Confirmed deceased.

Body found in Santa Cruz Mountains identified as kidnapped Bay Area tech executive: Sheriff

 

[CatsMeoww]

Very sad. I didn't know him but we have a few mutual acquaintances. The Santa Cruz mountains are notorious for cannabis growing operations. The mutual acquaintances are all cannabis industry people. (DailyMail reports his girlfriend owns a cannabis company, so association to the cannabis industry is reported in MSM Pictured: Girlfriend of millionaire tech boss, 50, kidnapped from his California home | Daily Mail Online)

"Police confirmed to DailyMail.com Wednesday evening that his body was found in the abandoned vehicle and said the motive is believed to be robbery. "

Armed robberies for cannabis are VERY common in Santa Cruz. When I was a UC Santa Cruz student, nearly every person I knew of involved with cannabis "enterprise" had experienced at least one armed robbery (many several). It even happened in a home I rented a room in for a summer.

"Several neighbors said Atre was involved in questionable activity and illicit behavior.

One resident who spoke to ABC7 on condition of anonymity said: 'Santa Cruz is notorious for different things going on. And you know, people with money sometimes get sucked into interesting situations.' "

 

[akazia1978]

I'm CTO of a CBD company and I do agree cannabis robberies are common here too (I live in CO). CBD fortunately has minimal risk. With THC products it is difficult to wash the money so to speak, as it still illegal on a federal level so people have to figure out what to do with the cash. Usually, however, everyone involved has pretty high security..I would think if his girlfriend owned a company she would be pretty smart about it.

I have however also dealt with my share of idiots, and half the people here (or more) are complete scammers.

 

[Cryptic]

Armed robberies for cannabis are VERY common in Santa Cruz.

Maybe the attraction was wealth, and not cannabis per se. For example:

- Group owns a failing cannabis operation (my understanding is that there is a glut of the stuff and smaller operators are getting squeezed out). Or, maybe, they pull Cannabis based armed robberies.

- They hear rumors that "X's" boyfriend as an ocean side home. This means wealth. A friend of a friend approaches Girl Friend All she does is mention boy friend's name.

- Once they have name and general address, gang quickly figures out occupation and address. The fact that he is a Tech ceo verse say, wealthy retired or has inherited a home means greater possibility of liquid ransom assets. Who knows maybe girl friend has commercial cannabis in the home too?

- Gang does not find any cannabis, but kidnaps victim. Things go down hill. Maybe they were supposed to hand him off- but that person backed out. Or, he recognizes one from the local "scene", or he struggles. In a panic, the gang kills him?

 

[TristanP]

I'm CTO of a CBD company and I do agree cannabis robberies are common here too (I live in CO). CBD fortunately has minimal risk. With THC products it is difficult to wash the money so to speak, as it still illegal on a federal level so people have to figure out what to do with the cash. Usually, however, everyone involved has pretty high security..I would think if his girlfriend owned a company she would be pretty smart about it.

I have however also dealt with my share of idiots, and half the people here (or more) are complete scammers.

Off topic, sorry, but I’m undergoing chemo for breast cancer and I developed a rash on my face. It was on my cheeks, forehead and chin, and felt like how your nose feels when you’ve been blowing it for days and it gets all raw and sore. I have some CBD cream a friend had recommended and on the second day of the rash remembered it, and put it on and it helped so much. It stung the first time I put it on but I held a cold pack to my face to take the sting away, and then by the next application a few hours later it didn’t even sting.

It didn’t completely take the rash away but it made a huge difference I have my 2nd round Friday and I’m going to put the cream on morning and night starting tomorrow and I’m hoping it helps prevent the rash this time or at least minimize it.

 

[ilovematt]

Umm the Glass Door reviews for his business are maybe the worst I’ve ever seen. I also then just spent an hour in this rabbit hole and I’ve still not found an update on where the GF is?