A few years ago, something happened that still sparks debate within the crypto community. Nikolai Mushegian, one of the pioneers in this space and co-founder of MakerDAO, was found dead on the beaches of Condado in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in late October 2022. He was only 29 years old.

What makes this case particularly strange is the context. Hours before being found, Mushegian had posted some quite intense statements on Twitter, talking about intelligence agencies, human trafficking networks, and extortion. He mentioned the CIA, Mossad, and accused what he called a pedophile elite of orchestrating all of this. He said they planned to frame him and torture him.

Local authorities concluded there was no sign of foul play. According to reports, Mushegian had a small laceration on his skull but nothing else. The area where he was found is known for its dangerous currents, and drownings there are not uncommon.

But here’s where it gets interesting. People close to Nikolai Mushegian described him as brilliant but someone who had been struggling with mental health issues. Some, like crypto billionaire Brock Pierce, suggested it could have been self-inflicted. Others in the community found the circumstances suspicious, especially considering those previous tweets.

Since then, Mushegian’s death has fueled all kinds of theories in the crypto world. Many question the exact timing of his last messages, the speed of the official conclusion, and whether everything was really as we were told. Some see inconsistencies, others believe it was simply a tragedy. The truth is, the case remains a topic of conversation and speculation to this day.