The City Paper is reporting that Michael Pontes, who co-founded popular 12South eatery Burger Up with his wife Miranda Whitcomb Pontes, has died, apparently from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The couple were divorcing.
One of the co-founders of Burger Up apparently vandalized the front windows of the 12 South restaurant before entering and killing himself. Michael Pontes was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound early Saturday morning, police confirmed. In the middle of a divorce from co-founder Miranda Whitcomb Pontes, Michael Pontes apparently used pink spray paint to slander his spouse before going inside. Police responded just after 4 a.m.The Burger Up location in 12 South opened in May, 2010, to excellent reviews and began showing up in national press soon after. A second location was opened in Cool Springs in Fall of 2011.
Ms. Pontes was not available for comment and both restaurants were closed on Saturday.
A statement on the restaurant's Twitter account noted: "The world lost a beautiful soul early this morning. @BurgerUP will reopen someday. Until then, with love."
