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July 27, 2012 11:59 AM

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Michael Marin, former Wall Street trader, took cyanide after arson conviction, says autopsy

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

(CBS/AP) PHOENIX - An autopsy report reveals that the former Wall Street trader who collapsed in court and later died after being found guilty of arson in June took cyanide to cause his death. The Maricopa County medical examiner's office says in a report released Friday that toxicology tests showed that Michael Marin had the poison in his system.

Marin, 53, was found guilty on June 28 of burning down his $3.5 million home. After the verdict was read, Marin put his head in his hands and appeared to put something in his mouth. He then drank from a sports bottle.

It was a bizarre ending to a case that began in 2009 when he emerged from his burning Phoenix-area mansion in scuba gear.

Prosecutors said he torched his home when he couldn't keep up with the payments. Marin faced seven to 21 years in prison.

Complete coverage of Michael Marin on Crimesider

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by ZafadaDynamic July 30, 2012 4:39 AM EDT: Wait, why aren't we allowed to burn our own houses down?; Reply to this comment


by yougogirl60 July 29, 2012 6:32 PM EDT: This is so sad. People are letting money (or lack of it) and greed drive them crazy.; Reply to this comment


by pammmmmm July 29, 2012 12:30 PM EDT: Cyanide? Seriously wanted to die. So sad for his loved ones, he was kinda selfish.; Reply to this comment


by gjc1n1 July 29, 2012 3:37 AM EDT: If this man wants to kill himself, let him be. It seems to me that some folks are more annoyed about their inability to enact revenge on a criminal with prison time than actually caring that a human life was lost.; Reply to this comment


by venusvegasvada July 28, 2012 2:37 PM EDT: Cyanide? That's crazy. How does someone even get that kind of stuff?; Reply to this comment

by ralphing July 28, 2012 10:30 AM EDT

It's his life, so why do any of you care that he killed himself? Everyone has the right to end their life at any point in their life. And if you aren't part of his family, it doesn't affect you in the least.

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by vielmann July 28, 2012 11:38 AM EDT: Well, for one, the guy did it in public. Next, he obviously had some mental issues and needed attention. Or would you prefer that people with serious emotional and mental issues be ignored until they commit mass murder? And finally, who the heck are you to say what does and doesn't affect others?


by metallotus July 28, 2012 1:37 PM EDT: Why stop people from caring? This is a horrible situation and one where may societal issues are involved and I live in this society so I will keep caring!


by sdm2012 July 29, 2012 11:12 PM EDT: I agree with you 100%, like they say, "if can't do the time, don't do the crime"...I guess this poor lost soul wasn't going to have any of that, so he chose to end it. It's really sad to get into huge debt & not want to stick around to find a solution.


by MissMaryMac62 July 31, 2012 4:26 PM EDT: It IS against the law to kill yourself....but, it's a non-prosecutorial crime.....


by jimsinaz72 August 5, 2012 3:39 AM EDT: That is an unfortunate comment. Suffering in any form should affect us all, or we are doomed as a people. I don't believe you are actually that shallow, but misguided. I met an old man the other day who spent 10 years in a POW camp in Vietnam after the US withdrew. I felt so bad and I didn't know him. Look up Michael Marin on facebook and you will see his son has an image of the deceased posing with his granddaughter. That affects me. Why would someone kill themselves over something so stupid when he has kids and grandkids. 16 years in Club Fed, no problem. I have a friend at Terminal Island for mortgage fraud and he's lost weight, takes classes, does a lot of writing. It is definitely not a place that would drive you to kill yourself. However, back in 09 he was on the top of Everest, so his vision of jail was hell I am sure. Just for kicks though, you should post a picture of yourself, and if I ever see you in need, I will make sure to avoid you.

by guest173 July 28, 2012 2:05 AM EDT

With the amount of people in Texas getting probation for drunk driving and killing someone, I would think this man would've gotten his time shrunk down for good behavior and only served a fraction of that. There was probably more going on with him than just the house and money. It is sad when someone takes their own life.

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by Nellie_Athome July 29, 2012 6:00 PM EDT: What does the probation situation in Texas have to do with a person convicted in Arizona?


by Nellie_Athome July 27, 2012 9:50 PM EDT: I cannot believe the number of people who are celebrating the death of a fellow human being. His house went into foreclosure, a situation you all seem to have sympathy for when it involves others. He burnt down his house when it was about to be repossessed - not too different than the guy down the street from me who totally trashed the inside of his house before the bank took it back and tried to collect on his home owner's insurance for the "vandal's damage". He got caught - like most people do. And he took an extremely drastic step to avoid jail.

He is dead, his family and friends are in pain -- For what reason is ANY of this a cause for amusement, jokes or approval?; Reply to this comment

by doubleecho-2009 July 27, 2012 8:29 PM EDT

Well, the guy obviously did NOT want to go to prison (what sane person would ant to), so he chose his own form of "punishment". Perhaps offering this as an option would relieve prison overcrowding?

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by Resin-Smoker July 29, 2012 12:06 PM EDT: Agreed with that last part...


by jessiiijask July 27, 2012 6:53 PM EDT: I don't feel bad for him, One Bit!!!; Reply to this comment

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Michael Marin, former Wall Street trader, took cyanide after arson conviction, says autopsy

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