‘Unexplainable’: Lawyer blames teen’s slaying in Brickell condo on lax security
The mother of the teen stabbed inside a luxury Brickell condo earlier this month blames security failures at the high-rise for her son’s death, her attorneys said Monday.
Dominic Ferrell, 17, was brutally stabbed with a kitchen knife on June 8 in a condo in Tower 3 of the Icon Residences, 485 Brickell Ave. The suspect, 26-year-old Kyrill Kehl, fell to his death at a neighboring building shortly after the murder. Police say it’s unclear whether the fall was intentional or accidental.
Dominic, the eldest of four siblings, was staying at an Airbnb with his father at the Icon Residences when he was stabbed around 2:15 a.m., according to court documents. Dominic’s father was asleep in the condo with him.
Attorney Michael Haggard, who is representing Dominic’s mother Christine Maron, said he’s probing the building’s security breaches while he waits for police to conclude their investigation.
For the first time, Maron spoke with reporters, saying she and her family are disturbed by many factors leading up to Dominic’s murder, notably the lack of security and protections that allowed Kehl to access the condo.
READ MORE: Teen killed in Brickell stabbing remembered as model student, a friend full of life
“I lost him in the most tragic and senseless way imaginable,” she said. “No mother or parent should ever go through this heartbreaking loss. My family is completely shattered and broken as we grieve his loss and try to pick up the pieces.”
Before attacking Dominic, Kehl got through several layers of security at the luxury building.
Kehl entered through the lobby and waited until two men went up on the elevator, police said. He got off on the 47th floor, before making his way to the 34th floor. Tower 3 has both condo units, some of which are rented through Airbnb, and hotel rooms, as it’s the site of the W Miami Hotel.
Kehl attempted to open several doors, authorities say, before he came upon an unlocked door to the condo where Dominic and his father were sleeping. Police suspect Kehl, who had arrived in Miami from Arizona a few days before, was mentally ill and randomly attacked Dominic.
The Icon Residences haven’t responded to the Miami Herald’s request for comment.
‘A colossal failure’
Haggard called Dominic’s slaying one of the “most frightening, terrifying and unexplainable homicides” in South Florida.
“This could have happened to anyone,” he said. “Unfortunately, unthinkably, it happened to Dominic… because of a colossal failure of security.”
Kehl, Haggard said, was in the lobby of the Icon Residences for several hours but was never approached by security. At one point, fire rescue treated Kehl, who had been acting erratically. Haggard said he doesn’t know why fire rescue was called to treat Kehl. A spokesperson for Miami Fire Rescue told the Herald he can’t confirm if Kehl was treated or why.
The spokesperson said fire rescue responded to the building during the afternoon of June 7, but the man refused services.
“How is no one seeing what is going on, not for 10 minutes, not for 15 minutes with an erratic individual, but for hours at a place like this?” he said. “It’s unthinkable.”
For Haggard, the building violated numerous security standards and left a killer sitting in plain sight.
“Not only is he allowed to commit this act, but then he leaves the building without being approached by anyone,” he said.
Dominic’s legacy
Maron also shared memories of her son, whom she said was an “old soul... quick to smile and quicker to laugh.” She said Dominic was kind, drew people in and easily connected with everyone.
“Now is the time to grieve him, mourn him, love him and remember him,” she said. “Dominic had so much promise.”
Hoping to turn her pain into purpose and to honor Dominic’s memory, Maron said she is starting a scholarship fund to help other students in the four schools attended across the years in Miami and California.
Dominic had just finished his junior year at Miami Beach Senior High School, where he participated in debate and was on the golf team. He had attended Immaculata-La Salle High School In Coconut Grove his freshman and sophomore years, and was an alumnus of the middle school at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School in Miami.
Father speaks out
Dominic’s father Jon Ferrell wasn’t present at the Monday news conference. In a statement shortly after the slaying, Ferrell condemned the Icon Residences and the ease with which Kehl had gotten through the building.
“It is unimaginable to us that such a violent and deranged man was able to enter the lobby, elevator, and ultimately, the residential floors of the Icon Residences,” he said. “I chose to stay at this well-known building because of my expectation of safety and security. I look forward to the Miami Police Department’s findings for the closure our family so desperately needs.”
At the time of the tragedy, Dominic was visiting his father against his mother’s wishes, according to court documents. Maron had gotten a temporary restraining order against her estranged husband in May, forbidding him from having contact with her or their children.
Ferrell noted that while their family situation may not have been ideal, the killing of his son was a horrific crime that still needs to be answered for.
“All families have differences,” he said. “Consistent with Dominic’s extraordinary empathy and our loving bond, he chose to join me on the night of this horrific event. Of course, my wife and I will cooperate with law enforcement as we get to the bottom of this senseless murder.”
This story was originally published June 23, 2025 at 1:21 PM.
