The CEO of an AI startup was shocked to receive a severed pig’s head along with a threatening note after a tech firm made moves to disrupt a traditional brokerage business on a Las Vegas property.
Blake Owens, the founder of Agrippa, shared that he found the disturbing package waiting for him at home after being labeled a “Clark Kent Knockoff” and after releasing a somewhat unsettling video in June.
In a bizarre twist, a 30-year-old local resident uncovered a bloody body wrapped in stuffing inside a cardboard box. It’s an unsettling reminder of how things can go awry.
“When I got home, I was made aware of this package, opened it, and there it was—the pig’s head,” Owens recounted in an interview.
The bizarre package also contained a note directed at Owens.
The message read, “Clark Kent Knockoff, a simple Google search has been a lot of help these days, especially in Vegas.” It continued with a dismissive remark about his video, implying that AI wouldn’t replace traditional brokers, reflecting a lack of understanding about the real estate industry.
Agrippa positions itself as an AI-driven platform that connects those seeking capital in commercial real estate directly with potential investors, without brokers.
The sender signed the letter with just “M,” implying a veiled threat. The ominous message continued, advising Owens to enjoy his success for now, with references that seemed to hint at dire consequences.
Owens compared the creepy gesture to something out of “The Godfather,” suggesting that perhaps the sender had been watching too many classic films, joking that they were probably hoping for a horse’s head instead.
He commented on how dramatic it all felt, saying, “It seemed a bit over the top, considering a film.”
However, he acknowledged the competitive nature of the industry, remarking that when AI starts to challenge traditional methods, some people react in panic.
In a surprising move, the tech entrepreneur expressed a desire for dialogue, reaching out to his anonymous critic. He offered to discuss any concerns directly, suggesting that such issues could be better handled through conversation rather than in unsettling packages.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police are currently looking into the sender, “M,” as reported by KLAS.
