A wealthy Los Angeles reality TV figure fell 28 stories to his death from an upscale beachfront resort in South Florida shortly after sending friends a brief message — “I’m coming” — a tragedy his loved ones say they do not believe was suicide.
Yakir Levi, 45, was expected to meet two friends Monday night at the luxury Acqualina Resort and Residences in Sunny Isles Beach.
According to the account, the friends had just arrived at the valet area when Levi texted them the short reply: “I’m coming.”
Moments later, they heard what was described as a powerful crash.
Panic quickly spread as shocked guests began shouting that someone had fallen from a balcony.
Levi, a married father of three who lived in Los Angeles with his wife and children, ages 4, 10 and 12, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Homicide Bureau is now investigating the fatal fall as an “unclassified death” after detectives recovered Levi’s cellphone and bag.
However, a police report categorizes the incident as a “Suicide w/injuries,” a finding Levi’s grieving relatives and friends are strongly disputing.
“They were all meeting up to go out. It just doesn’t make any sense,” close friend Eran Hersh told the Daily Mail.
“It’s impossible for me to think that he just committed suicide. The day before he was on a boat smoking a cigar, having the time of his life.”
Friends described Levi as a “larger-than-life” businessman who had served in the Israel Defense Forces’ special forces before launching a wildly successful building restoration company in the US.
Born in Ramla, Israel, Levi arrived in America with just $300 in his pocket before building a multimillion-dollar business restoring properties damaged by natural disasters, according to the Jerusalem Post.
His rags-to-riches story landed him on Israel’s Channel 13 reality series “The Americans,” which follows Israeli expatriates chasing the American dream in the United States.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded to reports of a man who had fallen from the high-rise resort at about 9:30 p.m. Monday.
Family members later identified the victim as Levi, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Levi is expected to be buried in Israel, according to the Jerusalem Post.
Authorities have not announced a final determination on the cause or manner of his death, and the investigation remains ongoing.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for free and confidential crisis counseling.
