Updated: Sep 11, 2026
California – Braden Pontoli, a Los Angeles-area musician, composer, film scorer, sound designer and sound healer, died on September 9, 2026, at the age of 36. His death followed a missing-person search that began after contact with him stopped during a trip from Pasadena to Santa Monica.
According to information shared by people close to Pontoli, he was last heard from on the morning of Tuesday, September 8. He had traveled to Santa Monica for an in-person job interview near a WeWork location on Arizona Avenue. At about 10 a.m., he told his partner, Tommy Lei, that he had arrived safely.
Communication then stopped. His phone location stopped updating, and his navy blue Nissan Kicks was also reported missing. A missing-person report was filed with the Santa Monica Police Department under case number 26-90155. Questions were subsequently raised about whether the job interview had actually been scheduled.
Body Found Off Malibu Beach
The search ended the following day under tragic circumstances.
At approximately 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 9, a man’s body was discovered floating in the water off Puerco Beach in Malibu, Los Angeles County. The man was pronounced dead at the scene, and local reports identified him as Pontoli.
The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner records his date of death as September 9, 2026, with the place of death listed as a beach.
Braden Pontoli Cause of Death
Pontoli’s cause of death has not been publicly released. The circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation.
At this stage, there is no verified basis for stating a specific cause or manner of death. Reports about his disappearance and the discovery of his body should therefore be distinguished from the medical findings that will determine the official cause of death.
His family and partner, Tommy Lei, have confirmed his death and asked for privacy as they mourn. They have also expressed appreciation for continued support and prayers during the difficult period.
Music and Creative Legacy
Born June 28, 1990, Pontoli was part of the Los Angeles arts and music community. His creative work included composition, sound design, film scoring and collaborations connected to music and dance.
He was also known as a sound healer, reflecting an artistic practice that brought together music, sound and personal or communal experiences.
For those who knew his work, Pontoli’s legacy extends beyond individual credits. His career reflected a commitment to creative expression across several disciplines, from screen music and sound design to experimental and wellness-oriented sound practices.
As authorities continue working to establish the circumstances of his death, family, friends and members of the Los Angeles creative community are remembering Pontoli for the work he created and the relationships he formed during his life.