The 22-year-old daughter of Los Angeles mayoral candidate Austin Beutner has died after seemingly experiencing a medical emergency. Her death is being investigated as a homicide.

Emily Beutner died on Jan. 6 after she was spotted seemingly “suffering a medical emergency” on the side of the highway in Palmdale, Calif., shortly after 12 a.m. local time, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) said in a press release obtained by PEOPLE.

A witness in the area — the intersection of Sierra Highway and Technology Drive — had alerted authorities to a woman in a “state of medical distress,” Lt. Michael Modica told the Los Angeles Times.

The politician’s daughter was treated at the scene and transported to a hospital, where she was later pronounced dead, according to the LASD.

LASD homicide investigators “responded and assumed control of the death investigation,” the sheriff’s department said. Speaking with the Times, however, Modica warned that this should not be taken as an indication of Emily’s cause of death, as this is typical for a young person found dead in a situation like this one.

L.A. Mayoral Candidate's Daughter, 22, Dies After She Was Found by Side of Highway in ‘State of Medical Distress’

Emily Beutner.Emily Beutner/Facebook

As of Feb. 1, the cause of death has not yet been determined, with Emily’s case remaining open, according to Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office records viewed by PEOPLE.

Austin shared a statement with the Times in the wake of his daughter’s death.

“My family has experienced the unimaginable loss of our beloved daughter,” the mayoral candidate said. “We ask for privacy and your prayers at this time.”

Emily is one of four adult children Austin shares with his wife, Virginia, according to his campaign website. She was a junior at Loyola Marymount University (LMU), where she was studying studio arts, according to a statement shared by the university in the wake of her death.

Pacific Palisades, CA - January 05, 2026: Mayoral candidate Austin Beutner speaks during a press conference on the property of Pacific Palisades fire victim, Hank Wright on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026 in Pacific Palisades, CA. Mayoral candidate Austin Beutner joined Pacific Palisades residents on Lachman Lane, to discuss how the wildfire should have been prevented, the cover up involving the City's After Action Report, Mayor Bass' continued missteps and steps needed to get the recovery on track.

Los Angeles mayoral candidate Austin Beutner on Jan. 5, 2026.Kayla Bartkowski / Los Angeles Times via Getty

“Please join me in extending our deepest condolences to Emily’s family and loved ones, and in holding Emily and all who are grieving her loss in our collective thoughts and prayers,” said LMU President Thomas Poon.

Poon also said that the L.A.-based private university will honor Emily with a plaque at its student memorial.

Austin’s opponent in the mayoral race, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, also issued a statement following Emily’s death.

“I am profoundly saddened by the news of the tragic passing of Austin Beutner’s daughter,” Bass said. “There is no way to describe the depth of pain experienced by parents who have lost a child. My heart is broken for the Beutner family, and I offer Austin, his wife Virginia, and their entire family my deepest condolences.”

“I will hold them close in my heart,” the mayor’s statement continued, “and I am ready to assist the family with whatever they might need.”