Mint Butterfield, a 16-year-old who uses they/them pronouns, has been found safe by California police after being missing for a week. Their parents, Stewart Butterfield and Caterina Fake, cofounders of Flickr and Slack, were relieved to have their child back home.
Mint’s disappearance was a cause for concern due to a past suicide attempt, leading to law enforcement classifying them as a “voluntary-missing juvenile” at risk. Despite taking a suitcase and leaving a note, Mint did not have access to a car or a phone during their absence.
The teenager’s stepfather, Jyri Engestrom, is also a tech founder, which further solidifies the family’s ties to the tech industry. In a statement released by the family, they expressed their gratitude for the support and assistance received from family, friends, volunteers, and strangers that helped in locating Mint. The collaborative effort ultimately led to Mint’s safe return, bringing relief to all involved.
