“Today, the San Francisco Police Department and the Medical Examiner notified us that they have located Chris,” the family said through Mark Guarino, a childhood friend of Woitel’s who has been acting as a spokesman.
“It is with a heavy heart that we must inform you of Chris’ passing,” they added. “Please help us by preserving Chris’ legacy in your memories. Thank you for your love and caring support through these very difficult times.”
The cause of Woitel’s death is unclear as an autopsy is pending, Guarino said. Also unclear is where inside the apartment building police found Woitel’s body. Woitel entered his apartment on the night of Jan. 8, but surveillance footage never captured him leaving.
Over the course of a month, police, the building manager, and private investigator searched Woitel’s apartment and did not find him inside, so it is unlikely police found Woitel inside his apartment on Monday.
Missing Mission District resident, Christopher Woitel, found dead - Mission Local
A statement from the Brisbane private investigator hired by the family raises more questions than answers. Scott Williams says he searched Woitel’s apartment and found it undisturbed. When Williams reviewed the building’s security footage, he saw the clip of Woitel walking in, but there was no trace of him walking out. Williams said the only other way out of the building was through the back door, but a review of that camera, which is triggered by motion at night, yielded nothing.
Video shows an SF man at home. A month later, he's nowhere to be found.