DJ Erick Morillo found dead in Miami Beach days before hearing in rape case

Artist was due in court Friday on sexual battery charge

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Erick Morillo, the internationally-known DJ who was facing a sexual battery charge, was found dead Tuesday at his Miami Beach home, police say.

He was 49.

Officers received a 911 call at 10:42 a.m to 5660 La Gorce Drive. Miami Beach Police Public Information Officer Ernesto Rodriguez said that there were no apparent signs of foul play and that the cause of death will be determined by the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office.

Witnesses saw investigators taking several bags of evidence out of the home, and Morillo’s body was removed Tuesday afternoon.

Morillo was best known for the 90′s dance hit “I Like to Move It.”

He was arrested early last month after being accused of sexual battery on a woman in December at that home on La Gorce Drive.

Morillo was scheduled for a court hearing Friday.

Detectives said Morillo and his accuser were both working as DJs at a private party on Star Island on that December night and later went back to his house for drinks.

According to the arrest report, the victim told detectives that Morillo “made several advances towards her, some sexual in nature, but she refused all of his attempts.”

She told police she was intoxicated and later found a room inside the home to sleep by herself. According to the arrest report, she told detectives she awoke “nude on the bed, with Mr. Morillo standing on the side of the bed also nude.”

Morillo denied the accusations but turned himself in with his attorney after the results of a rape kit came back and tested positive for Morillo’s DNA.


About the Authors:

Liane Morejon is an Emmy-winning reporter who joined the Local 10 News family in January 2010. Born and raised in Coral Gables, Liane has a unique perspective on covering news in her own backyard.