Jeremy Ferguson: Remembering the Downtown Santa Monica Leader Jeremy Ferguson, Director of Operations for Downtown Santa Monica Inc., was found deceased in his Venice home on April 21, 2025, alongside his wife Mandy Zelinka. The Los Angeles Police Department responded to a reported suicide at approximately 10:50 a.m. And discovered both individuals had died from gunshot wounds. Ferguson left a suicide note with instructions for accessing the property, according to official reports. Ferguson brought over 25 years of public-sector and transit experience to his role at Downtown Santa Monica Inc., the nonprofit managing the city’s downtown business improvement district and Third Street Promenade. Prior to joining the organization, he served as deputy director of public works for the city of Davis and as road services operations administrator for King County, Washington. Earlier in his career, Ferguson was elected mayor of Milwaukie, Oregon—a Portland suburb—serving from 2009 until his resignation in February 2015. He also spent 17 years at TriMet, the Portland region’s transit agency, advancing from bus driver to customer information manager. During his tenure at Downtown Santa Monica Inc., Ferguson oversaw several high-profile initiatives. He led the redesign of the Ice at Santa Monica seasonal rink, which expanded capacity by 25% and generated nearly $1.1 million in gross revenue during its 2023-24 Netflix-sponsored season. In August 2024, he helped launch Roll at Santa Monica, billed as the city’s first outdoor seasonal roller rink. “Our hearts are broken as we process the news of the passing of Jeremy Ferguson,” said DTSM CEO Debbie Lee. “Jeremy was a cherished member of our team and a true champion for Downtown Santa Monica. His passion for placemaking and the dedication he brought to his work each day made a lasting impact. He will be deeply missed.” The name Jeremy, derived from the Hebrew name Jeremiah, means “appointed by God” or “God will uplift.” It is an Anglo-Saxon English-language masculine name that functions as an anglicized and diminutive form of Jeremiah, a major prophet of the Old Testament known for his prophecies of judgment and hope. The name appears in the New Testament in the King James Version of Matthew 2:17 and Matthew 27:9. Notable individuals named Jeremy include Jeremy Irons, English actor; Jeremy Clarkson, English broadcaster; Jeremy Bowen, Welsh journalist; and Jeremy Brett, English actor renowned for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes. The name has also been borne by creatives such as Jez Butterworth, English playwright and screenwriter; Jem Finer, English musician with The Pogues; and Jeremy Camp, Christian musician. As the investigation continues, the Downtown Santa Monica community mourns the loss of a leader whose work shaped the vitality and public experience of one of Los Angeles’ most iconic districts. His contributions to urban placemaking, public transit, and civic leadership remain a testament to his dedication to public service.
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