Podcast Summary
Unexpected circumstances can change the course of our lives: Even the best plans can be disrupted, forcing us to make difficult choices and change directions
Even the best-laid plans and dreams can be disrupted by one wrong decision. Skyler De Leon, a seemingly normal family man, was hiding a past filled with deceit. Meanwhile, Tom and Jackie Hawkes, who had spent years saving and planning to live their dream of sailing the world, had their lives upended by the birth of their first grandchild. Despite their initial reluctance, they chose to leave the ocean and start a new life on land. This goes to show that unexpected circumstances can force us to make difficult choices and change the course of our lives.
Selling their boat to a former child actor raises concerns: Tom and Jackie's excitement about selling their boat to Skyler De Leon turned into concern when they went missing after a sea trip with him.
The excitement of selling their beloved boat, the "well deserved," to a former child actor named Skyler De Leon, turned into concern when they went out to sea with him and then disappeared without a trace. The hawks, Tom and Jackie, seemed genuinely impressed with Skyler and had no doubts about his legitimacy. However, Jim Hawks, Tom's brother and an ex-cop, grew suspicious when they didn't return after their sea trip and found their boat back in the harbor with some things out of place. The disappearance of Tom and Jackie remained a mystery, and their belongings on the boat suggested that something was amiss.
Suspicious Phone Call from a Stranger: Trust your instincts and investigate leads thoroughly, even if they seem unrelated at first.
When a note left on a cabin door leads to an unusual phone call from a seemingly unrelated person, it's important to be cautious and ask questions. In this case, a woman named Jennifer De Leon claimed to have purchased the boat where Tom and Jackie Hawkes were last seen and offered some information about their possible whereabouts. However, her reluctance to provide details and the use of an alias raised Jim Hawkes' suspicions. He discovered that "Skyler De Leon" was actually John Jacobson, a former child actor with a questionable past. Despite his concerns, Jim wasn't an on-duty cop anymore, so he couldn't take action. However, the phone call did lead the family to suspect that Tom and Jackie might be in Mexico, and they eventually made the 4-hour drive from the Arizona border to investigate further. The incident highlights the importance of trusting your instincts and being thorough in investigating any leads, no matter how seemingly unrelated they may seem at first.
Buyers' conflicting stories about affording yacht purchase: Investigators faced complications when buyers' accounts of yacht purchase funds contradicted each other, with one admitting to a drug deal and the other citing savings and investments.
During the investigation into the disappearance of Tom and Jackie Hawkes, the couple's buyers, Skyler and Jennifer De Leon, provided conflicting stories about how they afforded the purchase of the Hawkes' sailing yacht, "Well Deserved." While Jennifer claimed they had savings from her hairdressing income and Skyler's acting royalties and real estate investments, Skyler admitted to having earned the money from a drug deal and had stowed it away in Mexico. Skyler's confession to a felony suggests he was truthful, but the conflicting stories add complexity to the investigation.
Suspicious Signatures and Missing Vehicle: Despite a lack of evidence, doubts about Skyler's involvement in the disappearance of Tom and Jackie Hawkes persisted due to inconsistencies in financial documents and the disappearance of their vehicle.
Despite Skyler's credible story and the lack of evidence against him, Ryan Hawkes remained convinced of foul play regarding his parents' disappearance. Skyler had offered to help Tom and Jackie open a bank account in Mexico, and they had signed power of attorney forms giving him control of their finances. However, the signatures on the documents were questionable, with Jackie's "s" in her last name appearing to be forged. Additionally, the Hawkes' silver Honda CRV with Arizona plates was missing, and a tip from a American citizen in Mexico led police to locate the vehicle, potentially changing the direction of the case. Despite Skyler's seemingly truthful story, the inconsistencies and missing evidence left Ryan feeling frustrated and uncertain.
Significant breakthrough in the investigation: Car found in Mexico linked to Tom and Jackie Hoxford: The discovery of the Hoxfords' car in Mexico and the lies of a suspect named Skyler De Leon led to his arrest on unrelated crimes, revealing his extensive history of dishonesty and suspicious possession of the couple's belongings.
During the investigation into the disappearance of Tom and Jackie Hoxford, a significant breakthrough occurred when their car was found in Mexico. The owner of the house where the car was parked claimed it had been dropped off by a friend named Skyler De Leon, who had previously lied about the last time he saw the couple. This inconsistency led detectives to suspect Skyler in their disappearance. However, they couldn't charge him with murder without sufficient evidence. Instead, they arrested him on unrelated white-collar crimes. As the investigation continued, they uncovered Skyler's extensive history of lies, including false claims about his family, acting career, and military service. His discharge papers revealed he had never seen combat and had been dishonorably discharged for going AWOL. Detectives also found Tom and Jackie's belongings in his house, including an LAPD business card. With Skyler in custody, the investigation was ongoing, and his wife stood by him, expressing hope for a positive resolution. The discovery of the car and the lies of Skyler De Leon were crucial turning points in the investigation.
A friend's drug problem and a supposed real estate deal lead detectives to a suspect in the disappearance of Tom and Jackie Hawks: A friend's involvement in a suspicious real estate deal and a lie about wealth led detectives to a suspect in the disappearance of Tom and Jackie Hawks, but the truth unraveled a more horrifying story.
The investigation into the disappearance of Tom and Jackie Hawks led detectives to Skyler De Leon, a man with a criminal record who had previously been interviewed by the LAPD in an unrelated homicide case. The detectives discovered that JP Jarvey, Tom and Jackie's friend and a pilot with a drug problem, had gone to Mexico with Skyler to collect $50,000 for a supposed real estate deal. However, the notary involved in the alleged transaction later confessed that she had been paid to lie about the event and had never met Tom or Jackie. The investigation uncovered evidence of Skyler's lies about his wealth and acting career, as well as his purchase of stun guns and handcuffs before the disappearance. The case took a darker turn when Skyler's friend Alonzo turned himself in, revealing a more horrifying story than anyone had imagined. In the end, Skyler's con began with a lie and led to the tragic disappearance of Tom and Jackie Hawks.
A man went to extreme lengths to win a business deal, leading to a kidnapping and robbery at sea: Some people will go to great lengths for power and wealth, even involving their family and committing violent crimes
Skyler De Leon went to extreme lengths to win a business deal by using his pregnant wife and young daughter to win over his potential buyers, Tom and Jackie Hawks. However, things took a sinister turn when Skyler, with the help of an accomplice posing as his accountant, kidnapped and robbed the Hawks at sea. The victims were left tied and blindfolded in the ocean, but surprisingly, they survived. The confession given by Alonzo Machaine, who was involved in the crime, was a harrowing account of deceit, violence, and desperation. The case was a shocking reminder of the lengths some people will go to in the pursuit of power and wealth. Skyler, along with his wife Jennifer and accomplice John Kennedy, were convicted of the murders of Tom and Jackie Hawks, as well as John Jarvey. Alonzo made a deal and received a 20-year sentence. The interview was a chilling reminder of the realities of crime and the impact it has on innocent lives.
The Mastermind Behind a Double Murder: Skyler De Leon: Appearances can be deceiving, and even seemingly harmless individuals can commit heinous crimes with devastating consequences.
Appearances can be deceiving, and even seemingly ordinary individuals can commit heinous crimes. Skyler De Leon, who was released from prison in 2021, was a small, meek, and soft-spoken man who seemed harmless. However, he was the mastermind behind a double murder. Despite his apologies, he showed no remorse or empathy for the victims. The Hawks were good people, but it didn't matter to Skyler. He saw them as mere means to an end. During the interview, Skyler's attorney tried to prevent him from making statements that could lead to the death penalty. In the end, Skyler was sentenced to death and later petitioned the court to change his gender. This tragic story serves as a reminder that appearances can be misleading and that the actions of individuals, no matter how seemingly insignificant, can have devastating consequences.
Tom's optimistic outlook on people: Tom's ability to see the good in people, despite their flaws, allowed him to connect with others and impact them positively.
Tom's ability to see the good in people, despite their flaws, was a significant part of who he was. This trait allowed him to connect with others, including Skyler and Jennifer, and ultimately led to the purchase of the boat. Tom's approach to life was not naive, as he was aware of criminal behavior and deceit, but he chose to focus on the positive. This perspective, while tragic in the context of the events that unfolded, was a defining characteristic of Tom's personality. Ryan's observation that Tom had a tendency to see the best in anyone highlights the impact Tom had on those around him. Ultimately, Tom's optimistic outlook on people served as a reminder that even in difficult situations, there is value in maintaining faith in the inherent goodness of others.
