LAPD Searching For Hit-And-Run Driver Who Killed Popular Podcast Host
Mathew George was “a very loving, kind, unbelievably funny, and gentle soul,” says his mother.
Mat George [via Mat George/Instagram]
Law enforcement officials in Los Angeles are asking for the public’s help as they continue to hunt for the driver who fatally struck a podcaster who had recently moved to the city to pursue a career in the entertainment industry.
On July 17 around 2:20 a.m., Mathew George, 26, was walking southbound on Croft Avenue in Beverly Grove when a white BMW traveling eastbound on Beverly Boulevard struck him, the Los Angeles Police Department said in a news release.
“The driver of the white BMW continued driving eastbound, failing to stop, render aid, and/or identify themselves as required by California law,” authorities said.
George was pronounced dead at the scene.
In a statement, Michaela Okland, who co-hosted the dating and relationship podcast She Rates Dogs with George for just over one year, recalled her friend “loved singing along to songs he didn’t know the words to, pretending to be straight to get on reality dating shows and talking in really bad accents.”
George was originally from Kansas City, Missouri, and studied biology at college in Arizona. He then worked in the state for several years in the medical field before recently deciding to switch gears.
In a December 2020 interview with Shoutout Arizona, George said he spent “a long two weeks of thinking 24/7” about relocating to California to try to break into the entertainment industry.
“I knew it was risky, but I also knew that if I didn’t try, I would never stop wondering what could’ve been,” he explained. “So I did it. I packed up my apartment and left my friends in Arizona to move to L.A. and start She Rates Dogs: The Podcast with my best friend, Michaela Okland.”
Thank you to everybody who’s reached out, I’m really sorry but I probably won’t respond for awhile even if we are close. And thank you so much to everybody telling stories and sharing how he impacted you. Whenever you think of him in the future, please do talk about him
— michaela okland (@MichaelaOkla) July 18, 2021
George said he used comedy to share his experiences as a gay man, first on twitter and then on his new podcast, with the goal of helping “LGBTQ+ people all across the world feel like they’re not alone.”
helped them through issues (especially LGBT+ related). He referenced DMs from you all the time and how much it made his week & fueled his joy. You really did know him. He shared so much because he felt the people who listened to him were his friends.
— She Rates Dogs: The Podcast (@sheratesdogspod) July 18, 2021
George noted he was a nervous wreck since the move during a pandemic was the biggest risk he had ever taken — but it had all seemed to work out. “I can honestly say that I am so happy that I did this,” he said in the interview seven months before the hit-and-run accident.
The Los Angeles Police Department is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the hit-and-run driver who killed Mathew George. Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to call the LAPD West Traffic Division at 213-473-0234 or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477). Tipsters can also report relevant information online at www.lacrimestoppers.org or www.lapdonline.com.
“Mathew was a very loving, kind, unbelievably funny, and gentle soul,” Mary Ann Schaffer George shared on social media shortly after her son died. “He will be greatly missed but never forgotten. He is forever in our hearts. He was a bright light that warmed many.”
