Chilling text reality TV star and former IDF soldier sent to friends waiting for him in lobby of posh Miami hotel moments before he plunged from 28th floor

By BEN ASHFORD, US SENIOR REPORTER Published: 20:24, 23 July 2026 | Updated: 20:28, 23 July 2026 An Israeli-American reality TV star plunged 28 floors to his death from a luxury Miami hotel as his friends waited in the lobby to take him on a night out, the Daily Mail can exclusively reveal. Yakir Levi, 45, texted two pals to say ‘I’m coming’ after they pulled into the valet at the swish Acqualina Resort and Residences in Sunny Isles Beach. Moments later, they heard a ‘strong crash’ before horrified guests began screaming that someone had fallen from a balcony. The victim was soon confirmed as Levi, the wealthy owner of a multimillion-dollar building restoration firm who lived in Los Angeles with his wife and children aged four, 10 and 12. Detectives from the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office Homicide Bureau have retrieved his phone and bag and are investigating Monday night’s fatal plunge as an ‘unclassified death.’ A police report obtained by the Daily Mail describes it as a ‘Suicide w/injuries’ but Levi’s devastated friends and family have rejected any suggestion the ‘larger-than-life’ tycoon - a former special forces soldier in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) – would take his own life.  ‘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.’  Yakir Levi, an Israeli-American reality TV star, plunged 28 floors to his death from a luxury Miami hotel on Monday night. He is pictured with his wife Meital Gershoni Levi The 45-year-old, who lived in Los Angeles with his wife and their three children, was the wealthy owner of a multimillion-dollar building restoration firm Levi grew up an orphan in the Israeli city of Ramla and served in the IDF before emigrating to the US in his early 20s. This past year he appeared on reality TV series The Americans, charting the rags to riches stories of five Israeli expats. Levi revealed to the show that he arrived in the US with $300 in his pocket, working as a musician and a realtor before launching 770 Water Damage Restoration, a home repair business in LA. It’s understood that Levi had travelled to Miami alone while his glamorous brunette wife, Meital Gershoni Levi, vacationed in Israel with their children. His remains have been flown to Israel for a burial service, according to a funeral listing Meital shared on social media. ‘Where are you, Yakir? Where are you?!?! Please come back to me,’ she wrote. ‘You promised me that you and I were in this until the very end!’ The night before he died, Levi was also tagged in a group photo on Instagram captioned: 'Nights we won’t remember with people we won’t forget.' The haunting snap was posted by close friend Haim Atia, who was among the group heading to Acqualina - a luxe oceanfront hotel where rooms cost upwards of $1,000 a night - to meet Levi on Monday evening.  Levi, pictured with his wife and two of their three children, had traveled to Miami while his family were on vacation in Israel Levi, who served in the IDF before emigrating to the US in his early 20s, had recently appeared on reality TV series The Americans, which charts the rags to riches stories of five Israeli expats Levi's wife Meital posted a tribute on social media in the wake of his sudden death, writing: 'Please wake me up from this bad dream. I want you to tell me you're kidding an it's not real' ‘We got there and parked in the valet. He didn't answer us, so we called him,’ Haim wrote on Instagram in a post translated from Hebrew. Levi texted to say that he was coming down, according to Haim’s account.  ‘Suddenly we heard a loud bang. A strong crash … we didn't think it was connected,’ Haim continued. ‘Suddenly dozens, maybe 20, girls came running from the hotel entrance, saying that someone had fallen from Yakir's balcony, and they saw this from the balcony of their room. ‘At that moment we started calling our friends, asking questions, and suddenly about 20 police cars and fire crews arrived.’ A police report obtained by the Daily Mail describes Levi as a ‘possible jumper’ and says an onlooker ‘witnessed the jump of the deceased from across the street.’  ‘Officers made entry to room 2804A where blood and shattered glass was observed all the way to the balcony,’ the report states. His body was located on a 5th floor terrace beside a broken watch, a gold chain and his passport. Levi’s heartbroken family members rejected any suggestion he committed suicide in an interview with Israel National News Channel 7. ‘I can say with certainty that Yakir did not jump, and he did not commit suicide. He wouldn't do that to his children,’ his sister, Lemor Levi, insisted. ‘I want to see all the cameras. I want them to investigate and check. Maybe they did something to him, I don't know. Maybe someone went into the room. We think he was under threat in the room. Close friend Eran Hersh (pictured above) said nothing about his pal's final days suggested he intended to end his life Eran Hersh told the Daily Mail he had chatted with Levi just days before the tragedy when he'd sent a text (pictured above) saying: ‘Always good, bro. A lot of good things are happening'  Levi’s devastated friends and family have rejected any suggestion the ‘larger-than-life’ tycoon committed suicide ‘We understand that the Israel Police are also in the picture because it may be that there was a nationalist motive.’ Hersh, a DJ and music producer, met Levi when the pair arrived in New York more than two decades ago chasing the American Dream. They chatted just days before the tragedy when Levi sent him a text saying: ‘Always good, bro. A lot of good things are happening.’ Hersh said nothing about his friend's final days suggested he intended to end his life. ‘He had a beautiful wife. He was now on a TV show in Israel. He worked so hard to build an incredible life,’ Hersh told the Daily Mail. ‘He was the life of the party but I can tell you 100 percent that he never did drugs in front of me. He wasn’t a crazy drinker. He liked a cigar, that was about it. ‘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 had texted two friends to say ‘I’m coming’ after they pulled into the valet at the swish Acqualina Resort and Residences in Sunny Isles Beach on Monday A spokesman for Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) said first responders were dispatched to reports of an adult male who fell from the building shortly after 9.30pm. 'Upon arrival, they confirmed an adult male had fallen, and MDFR determined he was deceased on the scene,' the spokesman said. 'The manner and cause of death will be determined by the autopsy results conducted by the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner.’ A rep for the Acqualina said staff are cooperating with investigators. 'We are deeply saddened by this tragic event and our thoughts are with the family and friends during this difficult time,' the spokesperson said. 'In cooperation with the ongoing investigation by local authorities, we are unable to share further details. 'The safety and wellbeing of our guests and team members remains our highest priority.' If you or someone you know needs help, please call or text the confidential 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the US on 988. There is also an online chat available at 988lifeline.org.