Brandon Miller tried to improve his financial situation by negotiating a deal for a building he didn't actually own.

A friend who had invested $1 million with Brandon Miller for a Brooklyn real estate project discovered via an internet search that the property had been sold to another developer.

This friend was one of three individuals who confronted Miller about his finances during a Midtown meeting last fall, which led to Miller breaking down in tears, according to a New York Times report. Miller died by suicide in July.

The Times reported that the friend believed Miller had intended to use the investment for legitimate business purposes but was hindered by financial difficulties that clouded his judgment. Miller had inherited Real Estate Equities Corporation from his father, and the company's portfolio was heavily focused on new office projects, which were in low demand.

The report also mentioned that a private equity firm, which had lent Miller’s company $36 million for an unspecified development, was actively seeking repayment on the overdue loan.

The disclosure about the Brooklyn real estate deal emerged in a story highlighting the stark contrast between the lavish lifestyle that Miller’s wife, Candice, showcased on Instagram and in magazines, and the deteriorating state of the couple’s finances.

Miller passed away at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital on July 3, just three days after police were called to his Water Mill estate due to a carbon monoxide alarm. According to the Times, he left a suicide note that mentioned a failed business deal.