Today San Francisco hearts weigh heavy for Dan Ha, the SOMA resident who was last seen on October 31. His younger brother, Joseph Ha, spoke at a press conference this afternoon, confirming that the body found yesterday in the San Francisco Bay is believed to be Ha’s.
While the face was indistinguishable, the family acknowledged that the clothes, wallet contents, and phone matched Ha’s personal belongings. The SFPD has yet to report if the body is in fact his.
“We have no reason to believe that this was a suicide. Dan has never indicated having any intention of harming himself,” says Joseph Ha. “Dan did not leave a note, had scheduled a doctor’s appointment the morning of his disappearance, and was scheduled to attend a work event the next day. On his desk was even a note to return a shirt he had recently purchased.”
According to NBC, the SFPD Marine Unit arrived at Pier 22 on Tuesday around 7:30 a.m. after receiving a call regarding a floating body seen near the Golden Gate Bridge. The fire department and U.S. Coast Guard recovered the body around 8:30 a.m. Coast Guard officials believe the person has been dead for approximately one week. The San Francisco Medical Examiner’s office will identify the person and determine the cause of death.
Ha was last seen on Halloween around 8 p.m. near 4th and Brannan Streets. Since the 26-year-old disappeared his loved ones have searched tirelessly, while cultivating awareness through the Find Dan Ha website and Facebook group. Ha’s younger brother, Mark, thanked the community for their continuous support and prayers over the past week. Former colleagues and friends have also used the space to post their fond memories of the British Columbia native.
“Dan was/is such a wonderful friend and mentor to me. Someone described him as an individual with a ‘beautiful mind,’ and I can’t think of a more apt description…In a world mired in the status quo, I saw Dan as someone with a refreshing and inspiring vision for something better,” writes Morgan Moncada, Ha’s friend and Stanford colleague.
The Metromile iOS developer graduated from Stanford University in 2010, where he was also co-President of his senior class and on the founding team for the university’s start up accelerator, StartX, according to Finddanha.com.
“He truly loved life and lived it to the fullest,” says Joseph Ha.
Memorial services will be held on Friday, Nov. 14, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church on 16th and Dolores. The family is also accepting donations for funeral expenses, which will be later held in Washington. Those interested in contributing can visit http://www.finddanha.com/monetary-donations/.
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