EXCLUSIVE Yoga instructors friends reveal who he was messaging before being found dead after blind date

In the days before Marcus Freiberger went missing, the popular yoga instructor had matched with someone new on a dating app — and was hoping to meet the man for dinner for the first time. 

Friends tell DailyMail.com that Freiberger had recently gone through a breakup and was finally dipping his toes back into the dating pool. 

The man who caught his eye, according to those who knew him, was a handsome 40-something professional who he had been chatting with for weeks. 

The online conversation flowed naturally, he would tell friends. Finally, by February 21, Freiberger was ready to meet him. 

But something went wrong that day; Freiberger never returned from his blind date — and its unclear if he even met with the man. A month later, his lifeless body was found by a worker at a rock quarry on the outskirts of town.

While the cause of death hasnt been revealed, those close to him believe that Freiberger was a victim of foul play. I dont know exactly what to think, says longtime friend Gina Zucchet, who has known him for 20 years. But obviously something really bad happened and we want answers. 

Freiberger, who had previously struggled with drug addiction and had gone through at least one stint in rehab, was living a simpler, holistic, sober life — and wanted to inspire others to do the same. 

He had gotten his body into shape, was focusing on his own spirituality, and had studied for hours to become a yoga instructor. 

In the days before Marcus Freiberger went missing, the popular yoga instructor had matched with someone new on a dating app — and was hoping to meet the man for dinner for the first time

This journey is forcing me to go inward to find my answers, my peace, and to heal, he wrote on Instagram in January. I am so grateful for my life and the peace this journey brings allowing me to be calm in my storm. Today the storm isnt so violent; it just continues to bring me opportunities to be and do better. 

Im not perfect, Im a hell of a lot better than I was, he concluded. 

Friends say they had noticed a change in him.  

He had been working hard on himself, says Zucchet.

But he was sociable and liked to be with other people. I cant speak to whether he was looking for something serious, but he was open to whatever happened. 

Freiberger downloaded at least two dating apps and began matching with men from Phoenix, but friends say that he rarely met up with people from them, instead opting to meet people organically — either at his job at Melrose Yoga, or at restaurants and bars. 

He was magnetic, says Zucchet. Just a striking, beautiful man. He was super confident, but could make you feel like you were the most important person in the room. He was always the center of attention.  

On the day he vanished, the 45-year-old Arizona man sent breezy texts to his father and to a friend, and then his phone went dead. 

His almost daily FaceTimes with his mother stopped. He stopped showing up for work. No one spotted him out at his favorite spots. 

He was just gone, says Danny Cabrera, who has known Freiberger for 13 years. And the longer he was gone, the more helpless I felt.  

Concerned friends reported him missing after realizing that his beloved dog had been left alone — something they say Freiberger would never have done. 

He wouldnt leave that dog, says Cabrera. There wasnt really anything we could do but post on social media to bring awareness that he was missing. I knew the longer this went on, the harder it would be to find him. 

But the hopes of his worried friends were dashed on March 19, when Freibergers body was discovered at the quarry. His white 2021 GMC Sierra 2500 was nowhere to be found. 

It is with a heavy heart that I share the tragic news that Marcus is no longer with us, his sister, Tina Hall, posted on Facebook. 

Losing him feels like losing a part of ourselves and I know this will be just as difficult for you. We thank all of you for the love and support you have given Marcus and our family.

Authorities have not officially classified the case as a murder, but DailyMail.com confirms that at least one investigator assigned to the case is a homicide detective. 

The medical examiner has not yet released the results of Freibergers autopsy. Toxicology results will not be returned for several weeks. 

The cause and manner of death have not yet been determined and released, Vince Lewis, a lieutenant with the Phoenix Police Department, tells DailyMail.com This investigation remains ongoing. 

The Daily Mail has confirmed that authorities have been looking into Friebergers online activities and have identified the man he was supposed to meet. 

They have also been searching for any trace of the truck on camera footage of intersections and toll booths. 

Authorities have not commented on whether there are any suspects at this time — or if the death will eventually be classified as a murder.  

Friends tell DailyMail.com that Freiberger had recently gone through a breakup and was finally dipping his toes back into the dating pool

Concerned friends reported him missing after realizing that his beloved dog had been left alone — something they say Freiberger would never have done

The man who caught Friebergers (pictured) eye, according to those who knew him, was a handsome 40-something professional who he had been chatting with for weeks

Currently, Freibergers case is being handled as a death investigation, the Phoenix PD says in a statement. 

Detectives are currently seeking the publics assistance for anyone who has knowledge regarding the circumstances of his disappearance and death.

While the authorities continue to investigate the case, Freibergers friends are mourning his loss — and hoping for justice. 

I really hope that the cops will figure out what happened to him, and then the right thing will be done, says Zucchet. He was so loved and he did so much for so many people.  

Marcus had a light and aura around him, adds Cabrera. He was funny, he was sassy, and was always the core of any group he was part of. 

There was laughter, there was jokes. I was never around him when theres been negativity. It hurts that hes gone.