On Tuesday, July 16, 2024, Miami real estate developer Sergio Pino was found dead in his Cocoplum home in Coral Gables, Florida, in an apparent suicide. The incident occurred shortly after FBI agents conducted a raid on his residence as part of a court-ordered law enforcement activity.

FBI Investigation and Legal Troubles

Pino, 67, was the subject of an FBI investigation into allegations that he orchestrated threats against his estranged wife, Tatiana Pino, during their divorce proceedings. The investigation was sparked by claims that Pino hired men to threaten and attack Tatiana and her sister. Despite these allegations, Pino had denied any involvement in the incidents.

Raid and Death Circumstances

According to sources, when FBI agents arrived at the home, they deployed “flash bangs” explosives to distract or disorient anyone inside. It is believed that Pino, realizing the FBI was present, took his own life with a gunshot wound to the head.

The FBI is leading the investigation into Pino’s death, which is unusual for a suicide investigation. However, since federal agents had been building the case against Pino, they took the lead to determine the circumstances surrounding his death.

Contentious Divorce and Criminal Allegations

Pino’s death marks a startling turn weeks after the FBI raided his waterfront home in the posh Coral Gables neighborhood. Authorities were investigating his possible connection to assaults against Tatiana Pino and her relatives that led to the arrests of four men, including a household employee of Sergio Pino. Pino’s contentious divorce had been ongoing, and he was at the center of criminal allegations related to the case.

Community Impact and Professional Legacy

The Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Pino’s body was located inside his Cocoplum home early Tuesday. Neighbors reported hearing loud bangs and seeing FBI vehicles blocking streets in the area. The striking scene unfolded Tuesday morning as FBI agents returned to the house. Coral Gables police cruisers blocked off the way to the home, where the couple once lived together. A series of loud bangs could be heard from about a block away, beginning at 9:30 a.m., every 15 minutes. Two helicopters hovered overhead at the waterfront estate, near the Cocoplum Yacht Club. Around 10 a.m., Coral Gables Fire Rescue arrived with lights on. Thirty minutes later, an ambulance left with lights on but no siren. Around 11:30 a.m., a van from the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner’s office arrived in the area. The residence was not visible from the area blocked off by law enforcement.

Career and Contributions

Sergio Pino was a well-known figure in Miami’s real estate and business communities. He was the founder of Century Homebuilders Group, one of the largest Hispanic homebuilders in the nation. He also served as Chairman and President of Century Partners Group and held leadership positions in various influential organizations, including the Latin Builders Association, The Builders Association of South Florida, Public Health Trust, Jackson Memorial Hospital, Mercy Foundation, Florida International University Board of Trustees, and Baptist Health South Florida Board of Trustees. In 2000, Pino was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush to serve on the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Commission. He was also a Founding Member and Director of Ready State Bank and a Founding Member and Vice-chairman of Us Century Bank.

Philanthropic Efforts

Pino and his companies played a vital role in raising awareness and funds for many organizations, such as La Liga Contra el Cancer, the American Cancer Society/Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, Miami-Dade Parks and Recreation Department, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Miami Children’s Hospital, Jackson Memorial Hospital, and Habitat for Humanity. He also fostered educational programs and made significant donations to Florida International University, funding the Entrepreneurship Building named after his father and family (the Eugenio Pino & Family Global Entrepreneurship Center).

Personal Background

Pino was born in Havana, Cuba, in 1956 and arrived in the United States in 1969 with his family. He began his career as a plumbing salesman in Miami at age 20, starting a company with his father in 1977 called Century Plumbers Wholesale. He later branched into real estate development, founding Century Partners Group in 1997. Pino’s business acumen led Century Partners Group and Century Homebuilders Group to become one of the most valuable real estate companies with an impressive portfolio of commercial, residential, and mixed-use projects.

Reactions to His Death

Sergio Pino’s death has sent shockwaves through the community, with many expressing condolences to his family and friends. His defense attorney, Sam Rabin, was at the scene Tuesday morning trying to figure out what was happening but declined to comment further. Tatiana Pino’s lawyer, Raymond Rafool, also declined to comment, stating, “Under the circumstances, we are not commenting at this time.”