Martin Schaedel (Lazerzubb) Killed In Plane Crash

Jan 29, 2009 at 9:34pm ET by Danny Sullivan

I can recall when I first met Martin Schaedel, known widely by his online handle lazerzubb, I think it was at a search conference in Sweden or Germany years ago. He was the youngest person I’d ever seen show up at one (he was maybe 15 at the time), and he was eager to make his mark. And so he did among many in the search and internet marketing community that watched him grow up. Sadly, Martin was apparently killed in a small plane crash in Santa Monica yesterday.

Over the years, Martin was a fixture at various events. He moved beyond search and was involved in venture capital and various types of other enterprises. He seemed to be constantly traveling and enjoying life, always some new adventure.

The Los Angeles County Coroner’s department hasn’t officially released his name as being on the plane, but the Los Angeles Times is now reporting what many on Twitter have already been discussing, that it is widely believed he was aboard. The paper also cites two sources that say his parents have been informed. The last twitter to his @martin account talks about flying out of the airport, though a few days before the crash.

You’ll be missed, Martin.

Postscript: Fred Wilson shares thoughts on knowing Martin here.

Postscript 2: Mention now at AllThingsD with a decent picture of Martin (hard to find, like Fred Wilson, I looked in various places too), and there’s discussion now via Techmeme.

Postscript 3: Martin Schaedel 23 has passed away from Morten Lund, who knew Martin well, has a touching personal post and promises to update with news of a memorial service, as details are known. Todd Friesen posts some thoughts here. Over at WebmasterWorld, Brett Tabke’s started a thread at WebmasterWorld about Martin along with some photos he’s found, including one of Tood and Martin and one of me and Martin. Lots of comments already.

Postscript 4: Dave Naylor has a post up with thoughts and some nice photos.

Danny Sullivan is editor-in-chief of Search Engine Land. He’s a widely cited authority on search engines and search marketing issues who has covered the space since 1996. Danny also oversees Search Engine Land’s SMX: Search Marketing Expo conference series, maintains a personal blog called Daggle and microblogs on Twitter as @dannysullivan.

See more articles by Danny Sullivan >

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demib, January 30th, 2009 at 2:48 am ET:

> it was at a search conference in Sweden or Germany years ago.

I think it may have actually been in Copenhagen when we did the first SES conference – before the first one in Sweden.

I was hosting that conference with Detlev Johnson. Martin, that had no money at the time and was only 14 (as I remember) had “sneaked” his way in. Basically he convinced Karen DeWeese that she should give him free access in return for him helping out. She accepted and he did in fact help – he was there on the spot at 6am (way before me hehe).

I was impressed! I like people that know what they want and do what it takes to get it. Martin did that. All the time.

It is only a few days since I had my last emailing with Martin. Unreal!

Martin will be missed by so many people all over the world. Its truely sad.

Martin Schaedel (Lazerzubb) Killed In Plane Crash

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