‘She Rates Dogs’ co-host Mat George, 26, killed in hit-and-run

Mat George, co-host of the hit podcast “She Rates Dogs,” was killed in a hit-and-run incident in Los Angeles this weekend, his colleague Michaela Okland confirmed.

Okland, who co-hosts the podcast alongside George, shared the devastating news on Twitter on Saturday.

“I would rather you guys here this from me than a news article. Mat was killed in a hit and run last night,” she wrote. “I don’t really have any other words right now. I wish I could contact everybody who knows him personally but the news is already out and I just can’t do it right now.” 

“I know he’s laughing at me for having such a stupid typo in the first sentence of this,” Okland added.

I know he’s laughing at me for having such a stupid typo in the first sentence of this

— michaela okland (@MichaelaOkla) July 18, 2021

Droves of fans have taken to social media in the past day to mourn the 26-year-old podcaster. 

Mat was such a beautiful kind person, this is so heartbreaking my god. Rest in Peace king ❤️

— first-mate prance (@bocxtop) July 17, 2021

Never met him in person, but he was always a bright spot on my timeline. His vulnerability and humor made me feel a little more at home in my own skin. This is tragic news and I’m sorry for such a sudden loss of what seemed like an incredible guy

— Captain Black Sparrow (@Rarevoluti0nary) July 17, 2021

The Los Angeles Police Department said on Sunday that detectives are seeking information from the public that would lead to the identification of a hit-and-run driver involved in a collision that killed a 26-year-old pedestrian.

The department said in the statement that a white BMW struck the victim while in an unmarked crosswalk at around 2:20 a.m. on Saturday. The car continued driving and failed to stop after hitting the victim, the department said.

The victim was declared dead at the scene shortly after paramedics arrived.

The department didn’t disclose the victim’s name in the statement, but identified the pedestrian as “a 26-year-old resident of the state of Arizona.”

George’s LinkedIn page shows the podcaster attended college at the Arizona State University. 

Local police said a reward of up to $50,000 is available to community members who provide information that leads to the identification of the hit-and-run driver.

Later on Saturday, Okland revealed that she George “recorded one more episode” together that was slated for release this week, but added the show “will likely be put on hold.”

“I know in years to come I’ll feel so lucky that there’s so many recordings of Mat’s laugh to revisit. I am not ready to talk about everything, or to have to use past-tense to describe him,” she said.

“I think you all knew within 10 seconds of listening to him how vibrant, loving, accepting, and wonderful Mat George is. This community made him so happy. Your words and support made him so happy. Thanks for talking about him,” she added.

or to have to use past-tense to describe him. I think you all knew within 10 seconds of listening to him how vibrant, loving, accepting, and wonderful Mat George is. This community made him so happy. Your words and support made him so happy. Thanks for talking about him

— She Rates Dogs: The Podcast (@sheratesdogspod) July 17, 2021