A wealthy Los Angeles reality TV personality plunged 28 stories to his death from a swanky South Florida beachfront resort just moments after texting friends, “I’m coming,” leaving stunned loved ones insisting the fatal fall was no suicide.
Yakir Levi, 45, had been set to meet two pals Monday night at the luxe Acqualina Resort and Residences in Sunny Isles Beach.
The friends had just pulled up to the valet when Levi sent a simple text: “I’m coming.”
Seconds later, they heard a “strong crash.”
Horrified guests began screaming 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 investigating the deadly plunge as an “unclassified death” after detectives recovered Levi’s cellphone and bag.
But a police report lists the incident as a “Suicide w/injuries,” a conclusion Levi’s devastated family and friends are flatly rejecting.
“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.
