Tech executive Bob Lee dead after apparent stabbing attack in San Francisco

CNN New York --

After an apparent stabbing attack in San Francisco, Bob Lee, who was the former chief technology officer at Square, has now died.

Josh Goldbard (CEO of MobileCoin), confirmed Lee's passing. Lee was appointed chief product officer of MobileCoin in 2021, a startup that offers digital payments and cryptocurrency.

"Our dear friend, Bob Lee, passed away yesterday at 43. He is survived by a loving and supportive family, as well as close friends and colleagues," Goldbard stated in a statement to CNN Wednesday morning. "Bob was a dynamo and a force of nature. Bob was the real deal. Bob was made for this world, he was a child full of dreams and made all he imagined a reality.

Goldbard said, "We will miss Bob." We love you.'

According to the San Francisco Police Department's statement, officers responded to a report of a stabbing Tuesday morning in San Francisco's Rincon area. They found the victim, a 43-year old adult male, with apparent stab wounds.

"Officers rendered assistance and summoned medical personnel to the scene. The victim sustained life-threatening injuries and was taken to a local hospital. According to the police statement, the victim died despite the efforts of first responders and medical personnel.

Numerous local news outlets cited unnamed sources who claimed Lee was the victim. The police indicated that no arrests were made and that they are continuing to investigate.

As it tries to recover from the pandemic, San Francisco is experiencing an increase in crime. Preliminary data from the police show that there were 12 homicides this year in San Francisco, a 20% increase over the previous year. There were 56 homicides total in San Francisco in 2022. This is exactly the same number as in 2021.

Although Goldbard didn't give details of Lee's death, he did write in a separate thread on Twitter that he was reacting to the news, saying, "As a Bay Area resident for over 30 years, I have more questions tonight than answers."

"I don't know what to do, but I know that something isn't working here in grey." Goldbard posted the following tweet: "Bob left this world too quickly,"

A flood of grief

Many other tech professionals and others responded with shock and grief to Lee's passing.

Dylan Field, Figma CEO, wrote, "It's so difficult to believe that he is gone," in a tweet. He was recalling how he first met Lee in 2006.

Ryan Gilbert, a tech investor at Launchpad Capital, tweeted that Lee was 'one of a kind' and added, "May his memory be blessing."

Jake Shields, a Mixed Martial Arts fighter, wrote a tweet remembering Lee as a loyal friend' and writing, 'RIP brother.

Twitter's new owner Elon Musk noticed Shields' tweet and decided to comment. He said that violent crime in San Francisco is horrible, and attackers are often freed immediately after they are caught. Musk also included Brooke Jenkins, the San Francisco District Attorney in his tweet.

Jack Dorsey (now known as Block), was the CEO of Square and posted a response to the news on Wednesday morning via the Nostr decentralized social media platform. Dorsey said, "Heartbreaking." 'Bob was instrumental in Square and Cash App.