A disturbing incident from Florida has come to light, where a man is now facing serious charges after his friend fell to his death from a high-rise apartment. What initially seemed like a tragic fall is now being treated as a possible murder case after investigators uncovered troubling evidence.
Incident at a high-rise apartment
Corey Hutterli, 37, has been charged with second-degree murder following the death of his 35-year-old friend, Justin Zelin. The incident took place on February 15 at the Akoya Condominium building, where Zelin lived on the 25th floor.
According to reports, Zelin fell from his apartment balcony and died after hitting the ground. The fall happened around 10:30 a.m., as confirmed by surveillance cameras in the building.
Emergency call reveals struggle
Before the incident, Zelin had called 911 at around 10:20 a.m. During the call, he was heard asking Hutterli to leave his apartment. The situation quickly turned tense.
At one point, Zelin shouted, “Get away from me, Sasha,” using Hutterli’s nickname. Shortly after, the call picked up sounds of a struggle. Zelin’s voice suddenly stopped, raising serious concerns about what happened next.
Suspicious behaviour after the fall
Police reached the scene within a minute after Zelin’s body was seen falling. They found Hutterli outside the building in a nervous and excited state. He had apparently rushed out without wearing shoes.
When questioned, Hutterli gave confusing answers. He claimed someone had “freaked out” and attacked him. He also told officers that Zelin had gone to the elevator, even though surveillance footage showed otherwise.
Evidence found inside the apartment
When police entered the apartment, they noticed signs of a struggle. The place was messy, and the balcony doors were open.
Investigators found several important clues:
- Blood on the balcony railing
- Hutterli’s sandals left on the balcony
- Beard hair belonging to Hutterli scattered around the apartment
Later, during a detailed search, officers also found Hutterli’s backpack. Inside it were more strands of his beard hair, which police believe could be an attempt to hide or remove evidence.
Forensic findings and injuries
Police also discovered ketamine inside Hutterli’s backpack. During questioning, Hutterli chose to remain silent and asked for a lawyer.
Officers noticed visible injuries on him, including:
- Cuts and wounds on his hands
- Scratches and redness on his arms
- Missing patches of beard hair on his face
Further forensic testing revealed that Hutterli’s DNA matched the blood found on the balcony railing. Blood found on his clothes was linked to both him and Zelin.
Arrest and legal situation
Months after the incident, Hutterli was officially arrested and charged with:
- Second-degree murder
- Burglary with assault and battery
He is currently being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. His bail has not been decided yet, and details about his next court hearing are still unknown.
Defense argument
During a court appearance, Hutterli’s lawyer argued that there is no direct proof linking him to the death. The defense stated:
- No eyewitness saw what happened
- Hutterli has not admitted to any crime
- There is no clear evidence showing how Zelin was fatally injured
The case is expected to continue as more details are examined in court.
