Braden Pontoli, a 36-year-old musician and composer, was found dead off the coast of Malibu on Wednesday, authorities confirmed. His body was recovered from the water near Malibu Lagoon.
Authorities pronounced Pontoli dead at the scene. He had been reported missing after failing to appear for a scheduled in-person interview in Santa Monica earlier in the week, according to friends.
Pontoli was known for his work as a composer, conductor, musician, sound artist, and “sound healer.” His website described his music as bending genres and characterized it as meditative, invigorating, and energizing. He had been scheduled for a residency in Iceland in 2027 to focus on sound installation and traditional folksong arrangements.
His partner, Tommy Lei, expressed his grief on social media, calling Pontoli the “music and soundtrack in my world” and stating, “I still don’t believe this is real.”
The Claremont Chorale, a choir group in eastern Los Angeles County, remembered Pontoli for lending his “beautiful baritone voice” to solos with the group. In a statement, the choir described him as kind, patient, and generous, adding that his musical gifts brought joy and healing to many.
Another friend recalled Pontoli's significant impact on his life, stating, “Your musicianship and composer chops have always inspired me and driven me to be better.”
An investigation into Pontoli’s death is ongoing, though authorities have indicated that there is no clear indication of foul play at this time.
