Missing AIG executive Omar Meza is dead, coroner confirms

Coroner’s officials confirmed Friday that the body of a man found at a Palm Desert hotel was that of 33-year-old Omar Meza, an AIG executive from Los Angeles missing since Jan. 8.

An autopsy will be performed Friday to determine the cause of Meza’s death, said Deputy Armando Munoz, spokesman for the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

His body was found Thursday in a pond at the resort. Soon after, the family confirmed the death in social media. A post on the “Find Omar Meza” Facebook page and website said he had died.

“We are with heavy hearts tonight as we announce the passing of Omar Meza,” the statement said. “He was a very loved son, husband, brother & friend. We would like to take this time to grieve his passing and ask that everyone please respect our privacy at this time.”

Meza, a vice president for AIG Financial Distributors, was last seen about 11 p.m. Jan. 8 at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort, where he had arrived that day for one of his frequent business trips.

His wife expected a call from him to say goodnight, but she never received one. After Meza didn’t show up for business meetings the next day, his wife and colleagues reported him missing.

Surveillance video showed Meza walking out of the hotel but didn’t show where he went. Sheriff’s deputies and volunteers searched this week at the hotel and the surrounding neighborhood. On Wednesday, sheriff’s officials announced that they had completed their search of the hotel.

Hoping to find Meza, his family, friends and clients launched a Facebook page, passed out fliers and organized a search party.

Meza was found in a pond at the resort in the 74800 block of Country Club Drive.

Later Thursday evening, the statement on the Facebook page thanked supporters.

“It brings tears to our eyes to see how well loved Omar was, he will be missed by many,” the statement said.

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