Prominent South Florida builder Sergio Pino shot himself in his Coral Gables mansion just before he was to be arrested for allegedly soliciting multiple murder attempts against his wife, Tatiana, amid their contentious divorce.

Federal authorities have arrested nine individuals connected to two murder crews Pino hired, with attempts including poisoning, stalking, and a failed hit-and-run in August 2023.

U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe detailed an incident from June 2024, where hitmen followed Tatiana home, and one pointed a gun at their daughter but did not carry out the attack.

Pino was reportedly prepared to pay $300,000 for the murder, with plans to disguise his involvement, NBC 6 Miami has reported.

The first crew was indicted for conspiracy and involved in multiple criminal acts, while the second crew, led by convicted felon Fausto Villar, was tasked with killing Tatiana by a specific deadline to prevent her from attending a divorce hearing.

All nine suspects are in custody and have pleaded not guilty. Pino’s attorneys deny the allegations, attributing his actions to the stress of the divorce and media scrutiny.

Written by B.C. Begley