San Francisco, CA – In a shocking turn of events, CashApp founder Bob Lee was found stabbed to death near his home in San Francisco on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. The 42-year-old entrepreneur, who built the popular mobile payment service into a billion-dollar enterprise, was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
According to the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD), the incident occurred at around 9:30 p.m. in the upscale neighborhood of Noe Valley. A passerby discovered Lee and called 911. The SFPD is treating the case as a homicide and has launched a full-scale investigation. No suspects have been identified, and the motive for the crime remains unknown at this time.
In a statement released earlier today, the SFPD said, “We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Bob Lee, a visionary entrepreneur and philanthropist. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. We are committed to conducting a thorough investigation and bringing those responsible to justice.”
Bob Lee founded CashApp in 2013, which quickly gained traction as a user-friendly and secure mobile payment platform. As of September 2021, CashApp had over 70 million active users and had processed more than $350 billion in transactions. The company has been valued at approximately $40 billion.
The fintech community has reacted with shock and disbelief to the news of Lee’s untimely death. Jack Dorsey, the CEO of Square, Inc., which acquired CashApp in 2015, tweeted: “Bob was a true pioneer in the world of fintech, and his innovative spirit will be deeply missed. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
Lee was also known for his philanthropic efforts, having donated millions of dollars to various causes, including education, healthcare, and social justice initiatives. He was honored as one of Forbes’ Top Philanthropists Under 50 in 2020.
As the investigation continues, the SFPD is urging anyone with information about the crime to come forward. Anonymous tips can be submitted through the SFPD’s 24-hour tip line at 1-415-575-4444 or by texting “SFPD” and the tip to TIP411.
The tragic loss of Bob Lee will undoubtedly leave a void in the fintech industry and reverberate throughout the San Francisco community. As the search for the perpetrator continues, a grieving city and a shocked tech world mourn the senseless loss of a visionary leader.