Hull, Mass. – The man who died in a boating accident off Nantasket Beach on Saturday, August 9, has been identified as Michael LaRhette, 56, of Hingham—a prominent figure in the Boston-area biotech and startup community.
Authorities say LaRhette was found unresponsive in the water around midday after the boat he was in capsized. The U.S. Coast Guard recovered him and brought him to Coast Guard Station Point Allerton, where he was pronounced dead, according to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office. No other passengers or vessels were reported missing. The state medical examiner will determine the official cause of death.
A Driving Force in Boston’s Innovation Ecosystem
At the time of his passing, LaRhette served as chief business officer at LabCentral, a Cambridge nonprofit that provides shared lab space, resources, and mentorship to biotech startups. He had held the role for five years, helping shape the organization into a critical launchpad for early-stage life sciences companies.
On August 11, LabCentral CEO Johannes Fruehauf paid tribute in a blog post, calling LaRhette “an extraordinary leader whose kindness, compassion, and dedication to innovation in biotech and life sciences shaped LabCentral in immeasurable ways.”
Fruehauf added, “Beyond his professional contributions, Mike will be remembered for his humanity—the way he listened and cared. To say that he will be missed is the most extraordinary understatement.”
Remembered for More Than His Work
Colleagues describe LaRhette as a steady presence and a trusted voice in an industry defined by high stakes and rapid change. His leadership style, they say, blended strategic vision with a genuine commitment to people—traits that left a lasting mark on the teams he led.
LabCentral announced that plans are underway to honor LaRhette’s life and contributions, with more details to be shared in the coming weeks.
For Boston’s biotech community, his passing is not only a personal loss but also the departure of a guiding force in the region’s innovation landscape—a man equally dedicated to breakthrough science and the people behind it.
