On July 1, 2023, Paul S. Labiner, a 68-year-old attorney, was found dead in the parking garage of an office building at 5499 N. Federal Highway in Boca Raton, Florida. The body was discovered in the garage breezeway, with Paul Labiner lying face down, still holding his car keys. He had been shot four times: twice in his lower body, once in the chest, and once in the head.
Five spent 9mm bullet casings were found near the body, along with three live rounds near the walkway entrance and another live bullet in a trash can.
The incident was reported after a man stepped outside the office building to vape and heard hysterical screaming followed by four gunshots. Upon investigation, surveillance video revealed a suspect, later identified as Brandon Labiner, Paul's 34-year-old son, arriving at the parking garage on a maroon bicycle. The video showed Brandon removing a gun from a drawstring backpack, pacing around the garage, and then engaging in a scuffle with the victim before the shots were fired.
Brandon Labiner was arrested the following day at his law office nearby. The arrest was facilitated by his sister, who identified him in the surveillance images. Brandon had been involved in a bitter feud with his father, partly due to accusations of embezzling nearly $450,000 from a spousal trust fund. This dispute had led to Brandon's law license being suspended in April and later revoked by the Florida Supreme Court on October 31, 2023.
The investigation revealed a complex and strained relationship between Paul and Brandon Labiner, including a civil lawsuit over the alleged theft from the trust fund and issues related to the law firm they both worked at. Brandon had been under significant stress, including the loss of an unborn child and an impending divorce. Despite his claims of innocence and allegations that his father was responsible for the missing funds, Brandon was charged with first-degree murder and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.
Brandon Labiner was held without bond at the Palm Beach County jail. He pleaded not guilty to the charges, but his case did not proceed to trial as he was found dead in his jail cell on November 15, 2023, by apparent suicide through hanging.
