Arrest made in murder of South Florida insurance executive in midst of whistleblower suit

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Authorities have made an arrest in the murder of a South Florida businessman.

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Arman Motiwalla, 37, of Plantation, was a successful insurance executive and father who worked at Synergy Insurance Affiliates LLC at 350 Camino Gardens Blvd. in Boca Raton.

He was shot multiple times and killed in the parking lot of the business on April 8.

Detectives said Willie Byrd, 42, of Boynton Beach, was waiting in a car, got out and murdered Motiwalla.

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Investigators say they were able to tie the vehicle to Byrd and a search uncovered a note containing the victim’s name, his fiancee’s name, and the addresses of his office and home.

But a motive remains unclear. At the time of his death, Motiwalla was involved in a bitter legal battle with his former employer, the Coral Springs-based company Innovative Partners, claiming he was fired for reporting widespread violations and illegal practices.

There’s no known connection between the lawsuit and Motiwalla’s killing.

Motiwalla’s fiancee, Madison Belle Bou-Nahra, reacted to the arrest.

“Somebody sitting in a prison cell obviously protects other people and for that we should be grateful,” she said. “But it doesn’t take away the fact that somebody’s life was taken away from them.”

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Boca Raton police say the investigation into the case remains ongoing.

Byrd remained in the Palm Beach County jail as of Tuesday.