(CROWN) — San Francisco police are dismissing reports that an Australian CEO has been assaulted in San Francisco. SFPD told KRON4 Thursday that there is “no indication” that Grain Producers Australia CEO Colin Bettles was assaulted or the victim of a crime.
Other media have reported otherwise, such as a website that says Bettles was “ruthlessly abused by criminals.” Bettles was reported missing after he was found unconscious on Market Street on July 4.
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News sources reported that Bettles was in a “medically induced coma” after an attack that left him with a broken eye socket and missing his phone and wallet.
However, police said Bettles was in possession of his belongings when he was found Monday at San Francisco General Hospital. Surveillance footage does not support the claims of an attack, SFPD said.
“The investigation revealed that Bettles was found unresponsive in the 1000 block of Market Street shortly after 11 p.m. on July 4. Paramedics transported him to San Francisco General Hospital,” police said. “SFPD reviewed surveillance footage from the scene and found no evidence that Bettles had been assaulted or was the victim of a crime. He was in possession of his property at the hospital.”
SFPD said it is working to locate Bettles and investigate how he was injured, including seeking witnesses and surveillance footage. Anyone with information is asked to call SFPD at (415) 553-0123.
“SFPD wishes Mr. Bettles a speedy recovery,” police said.
Biography of Bettles for Grain Producers Australia says he has been CEO since 2021. Before that, he worked as a journalist at Rural Press/Fairfax Media.
KRON4 has contacted Grain Producers Australia for further comment and is awaiting a response.
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