Biotech Executive Accused of Murder in Miami Incident
A biotech executive from Miami is facing serious accusations after allegedly pushing a man off the 25th floor of a skyscraper, with surveillance footage recently surfacing.
Justin Zelin, 35, was seen entering the Akoya Condominiums in Miami Beach with Corey Hatteri, 37, on February 12, just three days before Zelin’s tragic death, as NBC6 reported.
Zelin, dressed casually, was unaware that he was about to fall to his death after disposing of some trash on the way to his parking garage.
Mr. Hatteri, who sported a bucket hat and held a bottle, followed closely behind. Interestingly, just three days later, Zelin placed a 911 call to report some sort of disturbance, instructing Hatteri to leave his apartment. WPLG covered this detail, noting that in the call, Zelin seemed distressed.
According to police, Zelin yelled, “Sasha, get away from me,” using a nickname that Hatteri had called him. The police statement clarified that during a violent encounter, Hatteri caused Zelin’s death from blunt force trauma.
Footage recorded shortly after the 911 call captured Zelin’s body falling into a first-floor hallway.
Defense attorneys for Hatteri suggested that Zelin had experienced a mental break and “crossed the balcony,” which added a layer of complexity to the case. They claimed he was shouting about being killed by a homeless man and had a breakdown just before his fall.
However, evidence indicating a struggle was compelling. Hatteri had scratches on his face and injuries on his thumb, which painted a different picture of the events.
Police noted Hatteri’s agitation at the scene. When questioned by officers, he asked, “What’s wrong?” and claimed, “Someone freaked out and attacked me.” Hatteri even asked if Zelin had jumped, which seemed an odd response.
Upon searching the apartment, police discovered various items strewn about and Hatteri’s bucket hat, along with blood splatters on the railing and pieces of his beard. Hatteri’s shirt also bore blood, and ketamine was found in his possession.
Hatteri was arrested on April 8 and now faces a second-degree murder charge, which could lead to life in prison. An important piece of evidence was Zelin’s DNA found on Hatteri’s jacket.
In addition to murder charges, Hatteri faces counts of assault, robbery with assault, and drug-related offenses.
While this case unfolds, tributes for Zelin have begun to roll in. A friend, Amit Jolly, expressed on LinkedIn, “Justin was one of the best biotech analysts I’ve ever worked with. His work was rigorous and thoughtful.” Jolly emphasized Zelin’s exceptional ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and passionately, mourning the loss of a remarkable colleague and friend.
