Known for her eclectic jewelry and Burning Man-esque look on the scene -- like this illuminated piece at the S.F. Opera gala in 2010 -- former philanthropist Amber Marie Bently was found dead inside her Nevada apartment last week. She was 34.
Her body was discovered by a process server attempting to deliver an eviction notice on July 19 at her place of residence in Gardnerville. "Sgt. Pat Brooks of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office said an autopsy showed there was no evidence of criminal activity, foul play or suicide, and that toxicology results should be completed in six to eight weeks," reports the Chron. "Bently had apparently been dead for several weeks."
Bently was the estranged wife of Christopher Bently, CEO of Bently Holdings, a private asset holdings and management company. The two were best known for being environmentally concerned, promoting alternative energies, and overall being drawn to creative outlets. The duo supported and championed Burning Man and all that comes with it.
Tomas McCabe, executive director of Black Rock Arts Foundation/Burning Man, told the Daily Mail, that the festival's "foundation members were devastated to hear of Mrs Bently's death," going on to say, "She was a super, outgoing, very creative person. She was always joyful. She made amazing jewelry."
Amber and Chris made a name for themselves within the (bizarre) S.F. society scene by throwing "an old fashioned pajama party for their eclectic friends, who all flipped over the 360 degree views of the city and the bay from their two-story Nob Hill Penthouse," according to NY Social Diary. Amber was known for her "generous nature to environmental charities" and being drawn to "the healing properties of rocks."
The couple had been married for 10 years before splitting up in last year. Before moving to Gardnerville, Amber lived in a Nob Hill penthouse and Stinson Beach residence. Chris, now living in London, said of her passing: "She was greatly loved by family and friends, and we feel her loss deeply."
