“Crazy John” Fitzgerald Kennedy, a former gang member, was convicted and sentenced to death for the murders of Thomas and Jackie Hawks in 2006. The couple was duped into a yacht sale, overpowered, handcuffed, tied to an anchor, and thrown overboard while alive to drown. The case exposed the perils of trust and how far some will go for financial gain. Kennedy was found guilty of first-degree murder owing to the brutality of the crimes. As of March 2025, he is still on execution row while pursuing appeals against his conviction and sentence, which can be lengthy and complex in capital cases.
I didn’t believe what I was looking at … just pushed them.
John Kennedy. Autographed Letter, Signed. Handwritten, Commercial #10 (4.125 × 9.5 envelope). N.p. N.d. Content unknown. SEALED.
A Sinister Voyage: The Tragic Fate of Thomas and Jackie Hawks
John Fitzgerald Kennedy, born in Long Beach, California, became infamously associated with the heinous murders of Thomas and Jackie Hawks. Details about his early life remain sparse, but his criminal record paints a grim picture. Prior to the Hawks' case, Kennedy had a conviction for attempted murder, marking him as a hardened criminal. His affiliations with the Insane Crips gang in Long Beach further entrenched him in a world of violence and crime.
In November 2004, Thomas and Jackie Hawks, a retired couple from Prescott, Arizona, decided to sell their 55-foot yacht, the "Well Deserved," to spend more time with their grandchild. Their advertisement attracted the attention of Skylar Deleon, a former child actor turned criminal mastermind. Deleon, along with his pregnant wife Jennifer and their child, met the Hawks under the guise of interested buyers, successfully gaining their trust.
On November 15, 2004, under the pretense of a sea trial, the Hawks welcomed Deleon, Kennedy, and another accomplice, Alonso Machain, aboard their yacht. Once at sea, the true nature of the visit unfolded. Kennedy, acting as the muscle, overpowered the unsuspecting couple. They were coerced into signing documents transferring ownership of the yacht and their assets to Deleon. In a chilling act of cruelty, Thomas and Jackie were bound to the yacht's anchor and mercilessly thrown overboard, left to drown in the Pacific Ocean. Their bodies were never recovered.
The disappearance of the Hawks did not go unnoticed. Friends and family grew concerned, prompting an investigation. Authorities quickly zeroed in on Deleon, whose story of purchasing the yacht seemed dubious. Further scrutiny revealed attempts to access the Hawks' bank accounts from Mexico, raising red flags. The investigation culminated in the arrests of Deleon, Jennifer, Machain, and Kennedy.
Legal proceedings were swift and decisive. John Fitzgerald Kennedy was convicted on two counts of first-degree murder with special circumstances for committing multiple murders for financial gain. On May 1, 2009, he was sentenced to death and currently resides on death row at San Quentin State Prison. Skylar Deleon received a similar fate, while Jennifer Deleon was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Alonso Machain, after cooperating with authorities, was sentenced to 20 years and four months in prison.
The murders of Thomas and Jackie Hawks sent shockwaves through society. The couple, known for their kindness and adventurous spirit, became victims of a calculated plot driven by greed. The public and media reacted with outrage and sorrow, leading to increased awareness about the potential dangers of private sales and the importance of thorough vetting processes. While no specific laws were enacted as a direct result, the case served as a cautionary tale about the perils of misplaced trust.
As of now, John Fitzgerald Kennedy remains on death row, with no known efforts toward rehabilitation. The severity of his crimes and his prior criminal history suggest a continued threat to society, underscoring the importance of his incarceration.
In reflecting upon this tragic case, several lessons emerge. It highlights the necessity for individuals to exercise caution in personal transactions and the potential risks of engaging with unfamiliar parties. Moreover, it underscores the need for robust support systems for individuals attempting to reintegrate into society after previous offenses, aiming to prevent the escalation of criminal behavior.
Given the notoriety of this case, items associated with John Fitzgerald Kennedy, such as autographs, could be considered rare and potentially valuable to collectors. However, ethical considerations regarding the commodification of memorabilia linked to violent crimes should be carefully weighed.
VIDEO: Retired California couple disappears after showing their yacht to buyer | https://youtu.be/ZgiKfbntndw
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