Braden Pontoli Missing in Santa Monica: Family Appeals for Public Help in Search for Los Angeles Musician

Family and friends are appealing to the public for assistance in locating Braden Pontoli, a Los Angeles-based composer, musician and sound artist who has reportedly been missing since Tuesday, September 8, 2026.

According to information shared by people close to Pontoli, he was last seen in Santa Monica at approximately 10:00 a.m. near a WeWork location. He had traveled to the area for an in-person job interview and reportedly informed his partner that he had arrived safely.

Concern grew after Pontoli could no longer be reached following the interview. Friends and loved ones have described the situation as unusual and said his disappearance is out of character, prompting an urgent effort to determine where he may have gone.

The Santa Monica Police Department case number being circulated in connection with the missing-person report is 26-90155. Members of the public who may have seen Pontoli or have information about his whereabouts are being encouraged to contact authorities and provide the case number when reporting information.

Pontoli is described as approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall with an above-average build. His loved ones are asking anyone who may have encountered him in Santa Monica or elsewhere after the morning of September 8 to come forward with any potentially useful information.

The missing-person search has attracted attention among Pontoli’s friends and members of the Los Angeles creative community. His professional work has established him as a composer, conductor, musician and sound artist, with experience spanning composition, vocal performance, conducting and sound-healing projects.

Publicly available information about Pontoli’s career shows a longstanding connection to the Los Angeles arts scene. He studied at the California Institute of the Arts, where he completed a Master of Fine Arts program focused on music performance and composition. His work has included performances, music for collaborative artistic projects and sound-healing events.

In 2026, Pontoli continued to be active in the local arts community. He served as curator and sound healer for Altadena Heals, a walking music installation created to bring artists and community members together through sound and performance. He has also been associated with Keiju Kollektiv, a Los Angeles-based vocal ensemble.

Those details have added to the concern surrounding his disappearance, as friends and colleagues continue hoping for his safe return.

At this time, there is no confirmed public information establishing what happened to Pontoli after he arrived in Santa Monica or where he may have traveled. People following the case are being urged to avoid speculation and rely on verified information from authorities or those directly involved in the search.

Anyone who saw Braden Pontoli on September 8, has information about his movements after his reported arrival in Santa Monica, or may have information that could assist investigators is urged to contact the Santa Monica Police Department and reference case number 26-90155.

Family, friends and members of the community remain hopeful that information from the public will help investigators locate Pontoli. They are asking people to share verified missing-person information responsibly and to remain alert for any details that could assist in bringing him safely back to his loved ones.