SA GAYDAR FOUNDER FOUND DEAD

Gary Frisch, the South African born co-founder and chairman of gay dating site Gaydar, has been found dead in his London home.

In a statement issued by QSoft Consulting, the owner of Gaydar, the company confirmed his “sudden death” and said that he “died unexpectedly following an apparent accident or suicide at his London home on Saturday.” No foul play is suspected.

Frisch was 38-years-old at the time of his death. He co-founded the popular Gaydar dating network with Henry Badenhorst in 1999.

The company said: “It is with great regret that we make this announcement. Gary was a highly regarded leader and colleague who cared first and foremost about the gay and lesbian community that we serve. He was an accomplished entrepreneur and a very generous man who also cared deeply about the people who worked for and with him.”

According to the QSoft website, Frisch studied computer sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, during which time he worked for De Beers Industrial Diamond Division. On graduating, Gary set up his first computer software company, Frisoft Software, which he later sold to Q Data plc (now Business Connection, one of South Africa’s biggest information technology companies) in 1994. Gary became technical director of one of the plc’s divisions until 1997 when he moved to the UK to launch QSoft Consulting.

“Gary’s legacy as a co-founder of the Gaydar phenomenon is immense and it is one that we shall both celebrate and continue into the future. Gary will never be forgotten and he is deeply missed by us all,” said the company.

Details of Frisch’s funeral and memorial service will be announced shortly.