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'Hogs get slaughtered': Las Vegas CEO receives bloodied pig's head, threatening note in package with sinister message
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 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 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.
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Vegas real estate CEO receives bloody pig's head, threatening note in...
The CEO of an AI startup received a severed pig's head and a threatening note when his tech firm threatened to upend the "traditional brokerage" business in Las Vegas real estate. 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. The 30-year-old Vegas resident revealed he discovered the bloodied carcass wrapped in packing paper and stuffed inside a cardboard box. "Came home, was notified of this package, opened it up and sure enough it was a pig's head," Owens told KLAS. The unwanted gift included a note addressed to Owens. "Clark Kent knockoff, a simple Google search goes a long way these days, especially in Vegas," the sinister note read. "Saw your Marcus video, what a joke. 'AI' is not going to replace brokers," the unidentified sender wrote. Clearly you don't understand real estate wasn't built by developers or investors. And it sure as hell wasn't built by tech guys in Lulu Lemon. It was built by brokers." 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. In June, Agrippa introduced its newly created AI program, Marcus, that helped secure a $45 million casino purchase. The ominous video featured a news clip from KLAS announcing the sale before "Marcus" began speaking. "Hello world. I am Marcus. The Future of CRE is here. Traditional Brokerage won't survive," the voice-over says. Owens describes "Marcus" as an "omniscient dealmaker." The anonymous sender, who signed the letter with "M," 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 too much of the 1972 film. "Perhaps this person watched too much of 'The Godfather,' maybe would've expected a horse's head," Owens said. The tech founder wasn't as worked up by the pig head because of the similarities it had with 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 threatens replacement, I understand they are going to react irrationally," he said. The tech leader extended an olive branch to his unknown agitator, calling for a truce and for them to have a one-on-one chat to get to the bottom of their problems. "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 have launched an investigation into the mysterious "M," KLAS reported.
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Blake Owens, CEO of AI-powered real estate platform Agrippa, received a bloody pig's head and threatening note, highlighting tensions between traditional brokers and AI-driven innovations in the industry.
Blake Owens, the 30-year-old founder and CEO of Agrippa, an AI-powered real estate platform in Las Vegas, received a disturbing package containing a bloodied pig's head and a threatening note. This incident occurred after his company released a video showcasing their AI capabilities in the real estate industry 12.
Source: New York Post
On July 29, Owens discovered a cardboard box at his home containing a bloodied pig's head wrapped in packing paper. The package also included a handwritten note criticizing Owens' use of AI in real estate and containing personal insults 1. The sender, who signed only as "M," warned Owens not to get greedy, stating, "pigs get fat and hogs get slaughtered" 2.
Agrippa is described as an AI-powered, broker-free platform that connects commercial real estate capital seekers with capital providers 12. The company prides itself on disrupting the status quo and challenging conventional practices in the industry. In June, Agrippa introduced its AI program named "Marcus," which helped secure a $45 million casino purchase 2.
The threatening package appears to be a reaction to Agrippa's AI-driven approach to real estate. The note criticized Owens for not understanding that "real estate wasn't built by developers or investors; it was built by brokers" 1. This incident highlights the tensions between traditional real estate practices and emerging AI-powered solutions.
Source: Economic Times
Despite the unsettling nature of the package, Owens maintained a composed stance. He likened the incident to a scene from "The Godfather" and expressed understanding for those feeling threatened by AI advancements in the industry 12. Owens stated, "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" 1.
In response to the incident, Owens expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue with the sender. He stated, "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" 12.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police has launched an investigation into the mysterious "M" who sent the package 12. As the investigation unfolds, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges and resistance faced by AI-driven innovations in traditional industries.
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