US5 min(s) read
Published 14:33 03 Jun 2026 GMT
Disturbing surveillance and police body camera footage shows biotech executive's final moments before he was plunged to his death from the balcony of his Miami Beach apartment.
Justin Zelin, 35, was found dead on the pavement outside the Akoya Condominium building on February 15.
Authorities later ruled that he died from blunt force trauma after falling from the balcony of his 25th-floor apartment.
Now, newly released video evidence is playing a key role in the case against Corey Hutterli, 37, who has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with Zelin's death.
One piece of footage shows Zelin entering the condominium building with Hutterli just three days before his death.
According to Local 10 News, Hutterli appeared to be carrying several bottles of alcohol as the pair entered the building together.
Additional footage obtained by NBC South Florida reportedly shows the biotech executive falling to the ground beside the high-rise before a bystander rushed over to check on him.
Police body camera footage then captured officers arriving at the scene and discovering his body.
Investigators say Zelin called 911 shortly before he fell from the building.
During the emergency call, prosecutors say he could be heard pleading: "Get away from me Sasha." Police claim "Sasha" was an alias used by Hutterli.
By the time officers arrived, they allegedly encountered Hutterli leaving Zelin's apartment in what investigators described as "an excited state".
Per police reports, he was sweating a lot and was wearing socks but no shoes.
"What's going on? Somebody, he freaked out, attacked me," Hutterli allegedly told officers.
When asked whether anyone else was inside the apartment, he reportedly replied: "No, I don't know where he is, I kept telling him to relax."
Police say Hutterli later asked officers: "What is the situation? Did he jump?"
After detaining Hutterli, officers entered the apartment and found what they described as a chaotic scene.
Investigators discovered the alleged suspect's sandals on the balcony alongside what looked like a small blood smudge on the railing.
Law enforcement also found clumps of what appeared to be beard hair scattered throughout the living room, while a bucket hat believed to belong to Hutterli was located on a couch.
According to investigators, a subsequent search of Hutterli's backpack uncovered a large chunk of beard hair and a jacket containing a small baggie of ketamine in one of its pockets.
Police further noted that Hutterli had a cut on his right thumb, a small cut on his left hand, scratches on his cheek and bicep, and several missing patches of beard hair.
Small droplets of suspected blood were allegedly found on his shirt and jacket. Investigators later determined the blood matched Zelin's DNA, PEOPLE reported.
Based on the evidence collected, it is believed the two men became involved in a physical altercation during which "Hutterli caused for victim Zelin to perish due to blunt force trauma from descent of height (victim's apartment located on 25th floor)."
Hutterli's attorneys have strongly disputed prosecutors' version of events.
Court filings state that Hutterli had stayed overnight at Zelin's apartment and awoke the next morning to find the biotech executive behaving erratically.
"In the morning, JZ came out of his bedroom screaming at Hutterli, who had slept on the couch in the living room," the court documents state.
The defense says Zelin called 911 moments later. "Initially, JZ sounds calm and coherent with the 911 operator. However, after a few seconds, for no apparent reason, JZ starts screaming in what could only be described as a complete break with reality," the lawyers claim.
"JZ can be heard ranting, claiming he was killed by a homeless person and insisting that he is dead," they continued. "During the mental break, JZ ran in and out of the apartment, and then he went over the balcony of his 25th floor condo and fell to his death."
According to the defense, Hutterli was left "in an obvious state of shock" after witnessing the incident and gathered his belongings before leaving the apartment, where he was then confronted by police officers.
Hutterli was arrested on April 8, one day after his 37th birthday.
He has remained at the Metrowest Detention Center without bond while facing charges of second-degree murder, burglary with assault or battery, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to use.
He is now seeking pre-trial release and is scheduled to return to court on Wednesday.
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