Archive · 11 Aug 2025
Trader Burns Home, Escapes in Scuba Gear, Dies in Court
Michael Marin, a former trader, faced financial struggles and burned down his home.
He was caught and charged with arson.
When a jury found him guilty, he took cyanide in court and died.
This dramatic event was captured on video.
Marin had escaped the fire using scuba gear, a detail that made the case unusual.
The fire was investigated after he struggled to pay his mortgage, and the authorities believed he set the fire for the insurance money.
Sadly, he chose suicide over going to jail.
Michael Marin, a former Wall Street trader, died in court after being found guilty of arson.
Marin burned down his mansion in 2009 and escaped using scuba gear.
The fire occurred after Marin struggled to keep up with mortgage payments on his $3.5 million home.
Authorities accused Marin of starting the fire to collect insurance and avoid foreclosure.
He ingested cyanide moments after the guilty verdict was announced.
- Who
- Michael Marin, a former Wall Street trader.
- What
- Michael Marin died by cyanide ingestion after being found guilty of arson.
- When
- In 2012, after being found guilty of arson.
- Where
- In a courtroom in Maricopa County, Arizona.
- Why
- To avoid going to jail after being convicted of arson and insurance fraud.
- Name
- Michael Marin
- Profession
- Former Wall Street trader
- Crime
- Arson and insurance fraud
- Mansion Value
- $3.5 million
- Incident Year
- 2009
- Verdict Date
- June 28, 2012