LA Mayoral Candidate Austin Beutner's Daughter Dies Suddenly – Family Announces Tragic Loss

Despite the tragedy, the contestant has maintained a strong front, pressing forward with his mayoral campaign.

Austin Beutner, who is currently running for Mayor of Los Angeles, is grappling with the heart-shattering loss of his young daughter, Emily Beutner. Amid his grief, an outpouring of support has come from netizens offering prayers and condolences.

Tragic Loss of a Promising Young Life

Emily died on January 6 in Los Angeles (LA), according to records from the LA County Medical Examiner. She was just 22 years old. The official cause of Emily's death has been marked as "deferred" while the medical examiner conducts a more thorough investigation.

Austin has spoken out, saying, "My family has experienced the unimaginable loss of our beloved daughter. We ask for privacy and your prayers at this time."'

Community Mourns as Tributes Pour In

People who know Austin and his family have also expressed their sympathy. Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement, "I am profoundly saddened by the news of the tragic passing of Austin Beutner's daughter."

She continued, "There is no way to describe the depth of pain experienced by parents who have lost a child. My heart is broken for the Beutner family, and I offer Austin, his wife, Virginia, and their entire family my deepest condolences. I will hold them close in my heart, and I am ready to assist the family with whatever they might need."

Netizens also shared their heartfelt condolences following the news. One wrote, "Sending prayers to her family🙏🙏🙏." Another netizen expressed sorrow, "So very sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers for the family. Gone to [sic] soon." A third person added a message of deep sympathy, "My deepest sympathy 🙏❤️‍🩹."

Campaign Pushes Forward amid Grief

Austin's campaign appears to be proceeding as planned, with his team maintaining regular updates on his official X account.

The account highlighted ongoing community efforts, including leadership with Steadfast LA to support fire victims. This came after Rick Caruso announced on January 16 that he would not be pursuing the office of LA Mayor or California Governor.

Shaping Communities and Markets

Austin served as the first deputy mayor of LA under Antonio Villaraigosa from 2010 to 2013. He later led the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) as superintendent from 2018 to 2021. There, he guided the nation's second-largest school system through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Before his work in city politics, Austin held a position at the U.S. State Department under President Bill Clinton. In his role, he led a team focused on Russia's transition to a market economy after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

He then moved into finance, working as an investment banker and co-founding the financial services firm Evercore Partners. He also served as publisher and CEO of the Los Angeles Times and The San Diego Union-Tribune.

Since leaving LAUSD, Austin has championed Proposition 28, a statewide ballot measure that mandates approximately $1 billion annually for arts and music education in California. He has also collaborated with school unions in legal action against Los Angeles Unified over its implementation of the measure.

Austin's Pledge to Keep Fighting for LA

Austin is now running for the mayoral seat in LA. He announced his candidacy on October 13, 2025, through a four-minute video released on YouTube, and is slated to challenge Mayor Bass in the June 2026 election.

Austin has described Los Angeles as increasingly unaffordable, less safe, and more challenging to live in — issues he aims to address if elected mayor.

"I credit Mayor Bass, in a funny way, for maybe the inspiration to do this. She recently said we need to turn the city around. I agree. If that were her platform when she ran four years ago, good. She's been in the job, and we can't be four years into a job saying we need to turn things around," he declared.

Even as he navigates a profound personal loss, Austin remains focused on his goal of bringing change to LA and continues his mayoral campaign.

Describing himself as no ordinary candidate, he has expressed his commitment to tackling the city's toughest challenges. Austin has promised to work alongside residents to help get LA back on track.

In 2025, tragedy struck another candidate's family. Illinois gubernatorial contender Darren Bailey lost his son, Zachary Adam Bailey, his daughter-in-law, Kelsey Danielle, and their two children, Vada Rose, 12, and Samuel Isaac, seven. They died in a helicopter crash in remote Montana on October 22.

Sole Survivor Finnley, 10, 'Surrounded by Loving Family'

Darren and his wife, Cindy, received the unimaginable news from authorities in Montana. Their only surviving grandchild, Finnley "Finn" Tate, 10, was not on board the doomed aircraft and was taken in by the family.

In a heartfelt post shared to X on October 29, Darren gave an update on his surviving grandson, writing, "Their firstborn son, Finnley Tate, age 10, survives, surrounded by loving family."

The politician also confirmed the ages of his late son and daughter-in-law — 37 and 35, respectively — when they died on October 22, 2025, in Ekalaka. Hethanked supporters for their outpouring of love, prayers, and compassion during the trying time.

Celebration of Life

A celebration of life for the late family was held on Monday, November 3, 2025, at 9 a.m., hosted at the Oil Belt Christian Service Camp in Illinois. The Baileys, who hailed from Xenia, were laid to rest in a private burial at Oskaloosa Cemetery.

Rather than flowers or gifts, the family requested that memorial donations be made to a GoFundMe established for Finnley's future.

Investigation Initiated After the Catastrophe

The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed that the family had been flying in a Robinson Helicopter R66 when the aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances near Ekalaka.

The Carter County Department of Emergency Services Office disclosed that first responders and law enforcement rushed to the scene at approximately 7:22 p.m., where they were met with the grim aftermath of the accident. The cause of the tragedy was under investigation.

'Heartbroken by This Unimaginable Loss'

In a joint statement with fellow candidate Aaron Del Mar's campaign, the couple shared a glimpse into their emotional state: "Darren and Cindy are heartbroken by this unimaginable loss. They are finding comfort in their faith, their family, and the prayers of so many who love and care for them."

The Baileys faced a future forever changed by the loss. They held on to faith and the surviving light of one child amid a storm of sorrow. The tragedy also deeply moved communities both locally and beyond. As they laid their loved ones to rest, they continued to draw strength from their faith and public support.