EXCLUSIVE | Beau Mann's fiance Jason Abate details emotional meeting with homeless man who found tech CEO's body
SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA: Deceased Beau Mann's fiance Jason J Abate has detailed his heartbreaking meeting with a homeless man who found Mann's body months after the California tech CEO went missing in 2021. His remains were discovered about 20 minutes away from where he was reportedly dropped off in his Uber on November 30, 2021.
Abate flew to Los Angeles for a planned vigil for Mann on May 19. A local woman named Jenny Zepp and a man named Roy, who both live near the area where Mann was found, decided to help Abate co-ordinate the vigil and also arrange a meeting with Fred Stewart, the man who found Mann's remains on the morning of April 26 while cleaning the courtyard of a building.
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'I began crying uncontrollably'
Stewart cleared at least 40 trash bags before he uncovered Mann's body. He immediately called the police and alerted the neighbors, who called the police too. "Fred was living at the property next to where Beau was found," Abate told MEAWW. "I introduced myself to Fred and explained I was Beau Mann's fiance. Right after I introduced myself, I began crying uncontrollably," he added.
"I could recognize in Fred's eyes that he grasped the enormity of our meeting and his significant role in helping us find Beau. It was so overwhelming to Fred that he asked my name again because we were both so caught up in the moment. I couldn’t get my name out again through the tears, so Jenny thoughtfully told him my name so I could collect myself," Abate added.
Stewart, now in his 50s, has been living on the streets of Santa Monica for at least 20 years now. "I did my best to explain to Fred how impossible the past 18 months had been not knowing where Beau was or what may have happened to him. I explained that even though this was not the outcome I or anyone wanted, it was still better than never knowing where he was or what happened to him. It was one of the most emotional meetings of my life," Abate recalled.
'Fred presented to me his personal Bible'
Abate described Fred as an "extremely kind, considerate, very humble, and shy" man. He said, "You could tell he is a gentle soul, and I would do everything I could to better his situation." The next day, Fred joined Mann in his march for justice for Mann. A group of several people marched from where Mann was dropped off by his Uber to the place where his remains were found.
"Fred also presented to me his personal Bible as a token of his relentless kindness, care, and compassion for Beau and me. I have it next to the Bible Beau, and I share it in my home in Michigan and plan on keeping it for the rest of my life," Abate said.
"I’m grateful for Fred, Jenny, Roy, and the dozens of people from the area that came out that night wanting to celebrate Beau’s life and pay tribute to where he was found. Their compassion and love left me feeling as if Beau’s spirit was there with us those two days. I could feel Beau’s love through the love of everyone there. It was a moment of light I wasn’t expecting in such a dark moment. I’m incredibly grateful for everyone who was there," he concluded.
GoFundMe set up for Fred Stewart
Jenny has set up a GoFundMe for Stewart and asked people to show that "you care about him by sending a few dollars his way." The page says that Stewart grew up in the Los Angeles Foster Care system and his formal education ended in the 9th grade at Santa Monica High School. "He is not a veteran, though he likes to wear those types of clothes, as he has a great interest in history. He has a small collection of WWI and WWII DVDs and donates monthly to the Holocaust Museum in Los Angeles. Fred does not use drugs and does not drink or smoke. He is not interested in housing, saying he would feel suffocated in a home, thus he likes sleeping outside," the page adds.
Stewart has said that he will use any money he receives through GoFundMe for food and necessities. "Long-time neighbors are helping him get the support to access 100 per cent of these funds directly. Thank you for caring for our fellow human, our brother in mankind," the page reads.