A Las Vegas-based CEO reportedly received a bloodied pig's head and a threatening letter after an AI-related story about his company was aired on a popular television news segment. The incident is believed to be connected to his interview discussing the use of Artificial Intelligence in the real estate industry, according to multiple reports.
Blake Owens, the founder of Agrippa, was branded a “Clark Kent knockoff” and says he received the disturbing package at his home because his company released an ominous video in June. In the handwritten note, the person criticised Blake Owens' use of AI and included personal insults, calling him a "Clark Kent knockoff". The letter ended ominously, reading, "Don't get greedy because pigs get fat and hogs get slaughtered".
ALSO READ: 'Stop the slide': Terrifying moment caught on cam as Royal Caribbean passengers scream when Icon of the Seas’ slide shatters midway
Blake Owens said he did not expect to receive a dead animal in the mail on July 29, but the accompanying letter gave him a clue as to why it happened. The letter addressed to Owens, signed only with the initial “M”, read, “saw your Marcus video, what a joke.”
“Clearly, you don’t understand real estate wasn’t built by developers or investors; it was built by brokers. We did it the hard way, no shortcuts, no tech, just people,” the letter said.
“Came home, was notified of this package, opened it up and sure enough it was a pig’s head,” Owens told KLAS. “Clark Kent knockoff, a simple Google search goes a long way these days, especially in Vegas,” the sinister note read.
ALSO READ: $1,702 stimulus check in August: Last chance to apply for PDF closes soon. Check key dates, eligibility, tax implication
Owens said he holds no ill will towards someone who seems to be going through a tough time. “I don’t want to punch down on this person; they may be in a tough spot in life,” he said. “I do see this as an opportunity to show people you don’t become a better person by making another man a lesser person.”
Agrippa is an AI-powered, broker-free platform that connects commercial real estate capital seekers with capital providers, according to the company’s website. The Las Vegas-based tech group champions itself as a firm that disrupts the status quo by challenging conventional practices and dismantling traditional barriers.
ALSO READ: Battlefield 6 open beta starts this week: How to join, rewards and timings revealed
“We did it the hard way, no shortcuts, no tech, just people. So enjoy your moment while it lasts. And don’t get greedy because pigs get fat and hogs get slaughtered,” the note read.
Owens likened the eerie gift to “The Godfather,” saying his sender had watched the 1972 film too often.
“Perhaps this person watched too much of ‘The Godfather,’ maybe would’ve expected a horse’s head,” Owens said.
ALSO READ: Epic Games store's massive update: You can grab $45worth in free games for a limited period of time
The tech founder wasn’t as worked up by the pig head because of the similarities it bore to the Oscar-winning movie.
“It felt a bit theatric to take perhaps too seriously,” Owens told the outlet.
“I understand what it’s like to take hit after hit, so when you’re in an industry that has taken some hits and AI comes along [and] threatens replacement, I understand they are going to react irrationally,” he said.
“To that person, I know they have my information, I’m happy to speak with them — perhaps over email instead of a mailed package, but whatever I can do to help people embrace change I think is what I’d like to do,” Owens said.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police has launched an investigation into the mysterious “M,” KLAS reported.
Blake Owens, the founder of Agrippa, was branded a “Clark Kent knockoff” and says he received the disturbing package at his home because his company released an ominous video in June. In the handwritten note, the person criticised Blake Owens' use of AI and included personal insults, calling him a "Clark Kent knockoff". The letter ended ominously, reading, "Don't get greedy because pigs get fat and hogs get slaughtered".
ALSO READ: 'Stop the slide': Terrifying moment caught on cam as Royal Caribbean passengers scream when Icon of the Seas’ slide shatters midway
CEO receives bloody pig’s head
Owens, the 30-year-old resident of Las Vegas, revealed he discovered the bloodied carcass wrapped in packing paper and stuffed inside a cardboard box. “Perhaps this person watched too much of The Godfather,” Owens said, as reported by 8 News Now. “Needless to say, I still take it very seriously, but don’t feel like I’m being truly threatened. It was a message.”Blake Owens said he did not expect to receive a dead animal in the mail on July 29, but the accompanying letter gave him a clue as to why it happened. The letter addressed to Owens, signed only with the initial “M”, read, “saw your Marcus video, what a joke.”
“Clearly, you don’t understand real estate wasn’t built by developers or investors; it was built by brokers. We did it the hard way, no shortcuts, no tech, just people,” the letter said.
“Came home, was notified of this package, opened it up and sure enough it was a pig’s head,” Owens told KLAS. “Clark Kent knockoff, a simple Google search goes a long way these days, especially in Vegas,” the sinister note read.
ALSO READ: $1,702 stimulus check in August: Last chance to apply for PDF closes soon. Check key dates, eligibility, tax implication
Owens said he holds no ill will towards someone who seems to be going through a tough time. “I don’t want to punch down on this person; they may be in a tough spot in life,” he said. “I do see this as an opportunity to show people you don’t become a better person by making another man a lesser person.”
Agrippa is an AI-powered, broker-free platform that connects commercial real estate capital seekers with capital providers, according to the company’s website. The Las Vegas-based tech group champions itself as a firm that disrupts the status quo by challenging conventional practices and dismantling traditional barriers.
ALSO READ: Battlefield 6 open beta starts this week: How to join, rewards and timings revealed
What did the letter contain?
The letter was signed off simply with 'M'. The package was mailed to Mr Owens' family home on July 29 and it warned Owens to enjoy his moment before signing off with a veiled threat.“We did it the hard way, no shortcuts, no tech, just people. So enjoy your moment while it lasts. And don’t get greedy because pigs get fat and hogs get slaughtered,” the note read.
Owens likened the eerie gift to “The Godfather,” saying his sender had watched the 1972 film too often.
“Perhaps this person watched too much of ‘The Godfather,’ maybe would’ve expected a horse’s head,” Owens said.
ALSO READ: Epic Games store's massive update: You can grab $45worth in free games for a limited period of time
The tech founder wasn’t as worked up by the pig head because of the similarities it bore to the Oscar-winning movie.
“It felt a bit theatric to take perhaps too seriously,” Owens told the outlet.
“I understand what it’s like to take hit after hit, so when you’re in an industry that has taken some hits and AI comes along [and] threatens replacement, I understand they are going to react irrationally,” he said.
“To that person, I know they have my information, I’m happy to speak with them — perhaps over email instead of a mailed package, but whatever I can do to help people embrace change I think is what I’d like to do,” Owens said.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police has launched an investigation into the mysterious “M,” KLAS reported.
