“$17 MILLION MISSING?” — Whistleblower Claims Andy Byron Transferred Company Funds to a Private Cabin Where Clip Was Filmed… but What’s Buried Under the Deck?

The #ColdplayGate scandal, which erupted on July 16, 2025, when Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot were caught on a Coldplay concert kiss cam in Boston, has taken a dramatic turn. A whistleblower, claiming to be a former Astronomer employee, alleges that Byron illicitly transferred $17 million in company funds to purchase a private cabin in Maine, where a second compromising video of Byron and Cabot was purportedly filmed. The whistleblower further claims that “something” is buried under the cabin’s deck, sparking wild speculation about financial misconduct and hidden secrets. This article explores the whistleblower’s allegations, the alleged cabin, the mysterious claim about the deck, and the ongoing fallout at the $1.3 billion data infrastructure startup.

The Coldplay Kiss Cam and Initial Fallout

During Coldplay’s performance at Gillette Stadium, the kiss cam captured Byron, 50, with his arms around Cabot, 48, prompting a flustered reaction as they hid from view. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin quipped, “Either they’re having an affair, or they’re very shy,” fueling a viral firestorm dubbed #ColdplayGate. The TikTok clip, posted by @instaagrace, amassed over 45 million views, with netizens identifying Byron, married to Megan Kerrigan Byron for 11 years, and Cabot, a recent hire. Social media erupted, with X users slamming Byron and sympathizing with Megan, an educator at Bancroft School, who deleted her social media accounts after removing “Byron” from her profile.

Astronomer confirmed on July 18, 2025, that its board launched a formal investigation, and both Byron and Cabot were placed on leave, with co-founder Pete DeJoy serving as interim CEO. Former employees on Reddit called Byron a “toxic boss,” alleging the affair was an “open secret.” A fake apology letter, debunked by Astronomer, and unverified reports of Byron’s 3:12 AM resignation added to the chaos. Megan’s recent divorce filing revealed that Cabot visited their home 21 times, with one visit “changing everything,” intensifying scrutiny.

The Whistleblower’s Explosive Claims

On July 19, 2025, an anonymous whistleblower, claiming to be a former Astronomer employee, posted on X that Byron transferred $17 million in company funds to purchase a private cabin in Maine, allegedly used as a retreat for him and Cabot. The whistleblower claimed a second video, showing Byron and Cabot kissing, was filmed at this cabin, not at the Coldplay concert, contradicting earlier reports by TMZ. The most provocative allegation is that “something incriminating” is buried under the cabin’s deck, though no specifics were provided. The post, which gained traction before being deleted, read, “$17M missing from Astronomer’s books. Byron funneled it to a Maine cabin where he and Cabot were filmed. Check under the deck—secrets are buried there.”

No evidence substantiates the $17 million transfer or the cabin’s existence. Astronomer’s recent $93 million Series D funding round, led by Bain Capital Ventures, raises questions about financial oversight, but public records show no Maine property linked to Byron beyond his $1 million Massachusetts home, owned with Megan through a trust. The whistleblower’s claim about a video filmed at the cabin conflicts with the verified Gillette Stadium footage, and no second video has surfaced. The “buried under the deck” claim has sparked wild theories, from hidden financial documents to personal items, but remains speculative.

Megan Kerrigan Byron’s Court Filing

Megan’s divorce filing, leaked on July 19, 2025, alleges that Cabot visited their Northborough home 21 times, with one visit revealing “something devastating.” Some X users connect this to the whistleblower’s claims, theorizing that Megan discovered evidence of the $17 million transfer or the cabin during that visit. However, her filing focuses on emotional betrayal, stating, “This was never just an affair,” without mentioning financial misconduct. Megan’s composed reading of a fake apology letter on July 18, where she said, “Page three doesn’t change my path,” suggests she is focused on moving forward, possibly with a divorce settlement tied to Byron’s estimated $20–70 million net worth.

The Maine Cabin and “Buried Secrets”

The whistleblower’s claim about a Maine cabin lacks corroboration. Property records show no such purchase linked to Byron or Astronomer, and Maine’s real estate market indicates high-end cabins cost far less than $17 million, casting doubt on the figure. The “buried under the deck” claim has fueled online conspiracies, with Reddit users joking about “skeletons” or “briefcases of cash.” One X post quipped, “What’s under the deck? Divorce papers or a Coldplay vinyl?” The absence of the alleged second video and the whistleblower’s anonymity undermine the claims, with some calling it a troll amplifying #ColdplayGate.

Astronomer’s Response and Corporate Impact

Astronomer’s July 18 statement on X emphasized “conduct and accountability,” confirming Byron and Cabot’s leave and an ongoing investigation. The company has not addressed the whistleblower’s financial allegations, likely due to their unverified nature. The scandal has damaged Astronomer’s reputation, with over 22,000 news articles and 15 million readers engaging with the story, per Muck Rack data. Former employees have criticized Byron’s leadership, and the board’s slow response has drawn scrutiny, with Axios noting it allowed “spoof accounts and memes to own the narrative.”

Kristin Cabot, hired in November 2024, faces backlash for her role as HR chief, with her LinkedIn claim of “winning trust with CEOs” mocked online. Her prior marriage to Kenneth Thornby ended in 2022, and she has remained silent. The scandal raises ethical questions about executive relationships, especially given Cabot’s oversight of HR policies.

Public Reaction and Conspiracy Theories

The whistleblower’s claims have intensified #ColdplayGate, with X users speculating about financial fraud and hidden evidence. Some connect the “buried” claim to Megan’s court filing, suggesting she found financial records during Cabot’s visits. Others dismiss the allegations as sensationalism, with one user tweeting, “$17M for a cabin? This is fake news on steroids.” The conspiracy that Megan planted the kiss cam persists, but no evidence supports her involvement with the Gillette Stadium crew. Memes, including an Etsy sweatshirt reading, “I Took My Sidepiece to Coldplay and It Ruined My Life,” continue to dominate social media.

The Bigger Picture

The whistleblower’s unverified claims about $17 million, a Maine cabin, and “something buried under the deck” add a layer of intrigue to an already explosive scandal. While Astronomer’s investigation focuses on Byron and Cabot’s conduct, the financial allegations, if true, could elevate the crisis to corporate fraud. Megan’s court filing suggests a personal betrayal deepened by Cabot’s presence in their home, but no evidence links her to the whistleblower’s claims. As the internet speculates about what’s “buried,” from metaphorical secrets to literal evidence, the lack of concrete proof keeps the story in the realm of rumor. With Byron and Cabot on leave and Megan pursuing divorce, #ColdplayGate remains a cautionary tale of how a fleeting moment on a jumbotron can unravel personal and professional lives.