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FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – Mark Levinson, of Levinson Jewelers, was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound Tuesday.
Levinson, 60, was found dead in a vacant lot next to his New River waterfront mansion in Fort Lauderdale early Tuesday.
According to Broward Medical Examiner’s office Levinson died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
Fort Lauderdale Police Detectives are investigating Levinson’s death.
Many people who knew the prominent Fort Lauderdale jeweler, known for his philanthropy and generosity, are shocked to learn of his death.
Fashion icon Zola Keller, whose store is two doors down from Levinson’s, said the store helped boost the profile of the Las Olas business district.
“You know he’s been on the street a couple years now and he’s been a great welcome to the street. I feel awful about the whole thing. It’s just terrible,” Keller said.
Keller described Levinson as a nice, humble guy who wasn’t “as flamboyant as your would have thought.”
In recent years Levinson’s name has been linked to convicted Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein.
Rothstein was a huge customer who said in a deposition that he laundered money at Levinson’s store.
Levinson agreed to pay $650,000 to settle a lawsuit related to Rothstein.
Chuck Malkus wrote a book on Rothstein.
“Unfortunately because of Mr. Levinson’s connection to Scott Rothstein there may be questions about this tragedy today,” said Malkus. “Sadly there were three deaths associated with Scott Rothstein’s firm. I hope for the Levinson family and, our prayers go to the family, that this will not be a fourth death attributed to the Scott Rothstein fraud.”
CBS4’s Joan Murray spoke to attorney’s involved in the Rothstein matter and they said they don’t believe that the feds had any intention of indicting Levinson.
