The news of Mint Butterfield, the 16-year-old child of billionaire Slack co-founder Stewart Butterfield and Flickr founder Caterina Fake, being reported missing has sent shockwaves through the tech community and beyond. Mint was last seen at 10 p.m. on Sunday in Bolinas, Calif., and her disappearance has raised concerns about her safety, particularly as she is believed to have ventured into the notoriously dangerous Tenderloin district of San Francisco.
According to Marin County Sheriff spokesperson Deputy Jose Suarez, Mint was reported missing by her mother, Caterina Fake, on Monday. Mint and her mother had been living together at the time of her disappearance, and Mint was attending a private boarding school in the Napa area.
Described as 5 feet tall with curly brown-red hair and pierced eyebrows, Mint was last seen wearing a black sweatshirt, flannel pajama pants, and black boots. She was possibly carrying a gray suitcase. Despite her young age, Mint is believed to have a history of substance abuse, and it’s known that she has frequented the Tenderloin district in the past.
The Tenderloin, infamous for its high rates of violent crime, rampant homelessness, and open-air drug markets, poses significant dangers, especially for a vulnerable teenager like Mint. Law enforcement authorities are urging anyone with information about her whereabouts to contact the Marin County Sheriff’s Office immediately.
Stewart Butterfield, Mint’s father, co-founded the messaging app Slack in 2013, though he left the company after it was acquired by Salesforce for $28 billion in 2021. Known for his entrepreneurial success, Butterfield owns luxurious properties across the United States, including a 10,600-square-foot estate in Bolinas, Calif., where Mint was last seen.
Butterfield and his wife, Jennifer Rubio, who is the co-founder and CEO of luggage manufacturer and retailer Away, also own extravagant homes in Southampton, New York, and Aspen, Colorado. Mint’s disappearance has cast a shadow over the affluent family, highlighting the stark contrast between their privileged lifestyle and the harsh realities faced by many others.
As the search for Mint continues, her family, friends, and the wider community are praying for her safe return. The outpouring of support and concern serves as a reminder of the importance of coming together in times of crisis, especially when a young life is at stake.
