Yakir Levi, a 45-year-old Israeli-American reality television personality and former soldier in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), died after falling 28 stories from a luxury Miami hotel on Monday night. His friends were in the lobby waiting to meet him.
Levi, who lived in Los Angeles with his wife and three children, was the owner of a multimillion-dollar building restoration firm. He had traveled to Miami alone while his family was vacationing in Israel. His remains have since been flown to Israel for burial.
Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office Homicide Bureau detectives are investigating the incident as an "unclassified death." A police report obtained by the Daily Mail describes the fall as a "Suicide w/injuries," but friends and family have rejected this characterization.
"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," said close friend Eran Hersh, a DJ and music producer who met Levi over two decades ago. "He had a beautiful wife. He was now on a TV show in Israel. He worked so hard to build an incredible life."
Hersh stated that Levi showed no signs of distress in the days leading up to his death. "You never know what's going on inside somebody's head, but why would he throw all of that away? He was an amazing guy and I'm devastated by what's happened."
Levi's sister, Lemor Levi, also asserted that he would not have taken his own life. "I can say with certainty that Yakir did not jump, and he did not commit suicide. He wouldn't do that to his children," she told Israel National News Channel 7. "We think he was under threat in the room. We understand that the Israel Police are also in the picture because it may be that there was a nationalist motive."
Levi had recently appeared on the reality TV series "The Americans," which documented the success stories of Israeli expatriates in the United States. He had emigrated to the U.S. in his early 20s with little money, working as a musician and realtor before establishing his restoration business.
According to accounts from friends, Levi texted them that he was coming down to meet them at the Acqualina Resort and Residences in Sunny Isles Beach. Moments later, they heard a loud crash and were alerted by other guests that someone had fallen from a balcony. Police found shattered glass and blood in room 2804A, leading to the balcony.
A representative for the Acqualina stated that staff are cooperating with investigators and expressed condolences to Levi's family and friends. The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner's office will determine the official cause and manner of death.