A prominent Santa Monica figure in charge of promoting business, community and safety in the city’s downtown was found dead along with his wife on Wednesday, authorities said.
The Los Angeles Police Department responded to a shooting at 10:50 a.m. Tuesday in the 600 block of Superba Avenue, according to a department spokesperson. Inside, they found a man and woman shot. He was declared dead by paramedics.
The spokesman said the incident was being investigated as a possible murder-suicide.
A source familiar with the incident confirmed that police responded to the home of Jeremy Ferguson, who served as director of operations for the non-profit organization Downtown Santa Monica Inc., and his wife Mandy Zelinka.
DTSM Chief Executive Debbie Lee said in a statement Thursday that the organization was saddened when staff heard the news of Ferguson’s death.
“Jeremy was a respected member of our team and a true champion of Downtown Santa Monica,” he said. “His passion for placemaking and his dedication to his work every day made a lasting impact. He will be greatly missed.”
The L.A. County medical examiner confirmed that Zelinka, 49, died Tuesday at a residence.
