A prominent Florida real estate developer was found dead by suicide when FBI agents raided his $4.2 million waterfront home Tuesday morning to arrest him in a murder-for-hire probe involving his estranged wife, according to reports.
Sergio Pino, 67, died "from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound," the FBI said, according to Miami TV station WPLG.
A SWAT team entered Pino's house in Coral Gables' swank Cocoplum neighborhood after calling out to anyone inside and getting no response, according to the Miami Herald, which cited the FBI.
Agents reportedly found Pino's body in an upstairs bedroom.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Veltri said in a statement that the raid was part of a "search and arrest" operation tied to the murder-for-hire investigation that began in the fall, according to the Herald.
In a statement, Pino's lawyer criticized the "level of law enforcement activity" at his home, calling it "unprecedented and unnecessary, especially since we had offered to surrender him, should that have become necessary."
"Today's events mark a very tragic ending to an investigation that we were confident we could successfully defend," lawyer Sam Rabin said. "There were many rumors and allegations, but what was lacking was evidence."
Pino's house was also raided earlier this month, as was the office of his Century Homebuilders Group in Coral Gables, the Herald reported at the time.
The FBI has been investigating Pino's possible connection to assaults against his estranged wife, Tatiana Pino, and her relatives that led to the arrests of four men, the Herald said.
One of the men arrested was reportedly a household employee of Sergio Pino's.
The FBI also conducted a related raid Tuesday in Cutler Bay, where a neighbor said a man named Fausto Villar was arrested, according to the Herald.
In the U.S., the national suicide and crisis lifeline is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org
