Developer Sergio Pino confirmed dead in apparent suicide following FBI raid of home, medical examiner says – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports

CORAL GABLES, FLA. (WSVN) – Authorities have confirmed Miami real estate developer Sergio Pino died from an apparent suicide after the FBI conducted raids on his homes as part of “court-ordered law enforcement activities,” officials said.

The Medical Examiner’s officer confirmed to 7News that Sergio’s body was located inside his Cocoplum home early Tuesday.

On Tuesday morning, agents were seen blocking off Isla Dorada Boulevard in the Cocoplum neighborhood of Coral Gables, and in Cutler Bay on Bel Aire Drive. Aerial footage from 7Skyforce showed FBI agents surrounding the Coral Gables home.

According to the Miami Herald, both homes belonged to Sergio, who was involved in a contentious divorce and an investigation related to a hit-and-run case.

Sergio was one of the most prolific real estate developers in South Florida since the 1990s. He was a member of the Latin Builder’s Association and founder of Century Homebuilders, one of the largest Hispanic home builders in the nation.

Video from a 7News viewer showed FBI vehicles blocking streets in the Cutler Bay neighborhood showing a man being taken into custody. The FBI said the man is suspected by the agency in the alleged murder-for-hire plot that Sergio denied involvement in.

According to surrounding businesses in the area, Sergio’s company building was also raided by the FBI.

This isn’t the first time his home has been raided. Neighbors told 7News that the FBI raided his Coral Gables home last month as they were targeting electronics and documents.

Sergio’s wife, Tatiana, accused her husband of the hit-and-run incident, which was caught on video on August 30, 2023. Surveillance video showed a Home Depot flatbed truck ramming into Tatiana’s vehicle in front of her Pinecrest home before fleeing. The four men involved in the hit-and-run, including one man who worked for Sergio, reportedly pleaded not guilty.

According to the Herald, Tatiana also accused Sergio of trying to poison her, which led to other health problems, but Sergio denied those allegations.

Tatiana’s attorney said testing revealed she had bath salts in her medications, she was hospitalized multiple times and that doctors found fentanyl in her system.

Following the discovery of Sergio’s body, neighbors said they were very concerned with the news.

“I feel very sad,” said neighbor Lindsay Dets. “Very concerned for their own safety and also for the family involved.”

The FBI stated that no further information is available at this time. Attorneys for both Sergio and Tatiana have been contacted for details on this incident.

In a statement, the FBI said:

This morning, the FBI conducted search and arrest operations at two locations in Miami-Dade County which are connected to an ongoing murder for hire investigation initiated in the Fall of 2023. The first operation was at 9720 Bel Aire Drive in Miami. The subject was arrested without incident and a search of that location was conducted. No further information about this location will be released at this time. The second location was at 142 Isla Dorada Blvd in Coral Gables where the subject, Sergio Pino, was discovered by the FBI inside the residence deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Upon arrival, members of the FBI Miami SWAT team attempted to call out any occupants of the residence. When there was no response, the SWAT team entered the residence and conducted a methodical search to locate the subject. Ultimately, Mr. Pino was discovered alone in an upstairs bedroom. The ultimate determination of cause of death will come from the medical examiner’s office. I would like to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida for their close cooperation and diligence during this investigation. Because this is an ongoing investigation, no further information will be released at this time.

James P. Marshall, FBI Public Affairs Officer

An investigation is now underway as many questions remain unanswered.

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