20/20: Bad Romance – “Deadly Night (Revisited)”

Date: January 21, 2026
Host: Debra Roberts, ABC News
Episode Theme: The shocking murder of Makeva Jenkins—a thriving businesswoman, loving wife and mother—explores how a seemingly perfect family life gave way to tragedy, unveiling secrets, betrayal, and a murder-for-hire plot.

Overview

This episode of "Bad Romance" from ABC's 20/20 podcast revisits the gripping case of Makeva Jenkins, a woman whose life appeared idyllic until a masked gunman ended it one summer night. The episode examines the investigation, motive, and ultimate revelation of a murder-for-hire plot involving her husband, Yuri Jenkins. Intimate interviews with Makeva's family, law enforcement, and prosecutors scaffold the narrative, shining a light on family dynamics, social media, and the devastating fallout of the crime.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Who Was Makeva Jenkins?

• Makeva was a successful entrepreneur, devoted wife, mother of three, and active in church.
• Overcame a tough upbringing in Belle Glade, “the forgotten city of Palm Beach County.”
  • Debra Roberts on Belle Glade: “People give up on you when you live out there. There’s no coming out... Makeva did. She really pushed herself to get out of that and to not turn back. She was that boss chick.” (07:23-07:46)
• Made her success and personal hustle visible on social media, often flaunting achievements (like coveted Christian Louboutin shoes).
  • “She wanted these Christian Louboutin red bottom shoes like nobody’s business. And she worked… she got those shoes.” (12:16-12:25)

2. The Crime: A Sudden, Senseless Attack

[01:16-06:19]

• Tragedy struck in the early hours: a masked gunman invaded the home, forced Makeva’s brother Quay, husband Yuri, and a friend (Dimitri Dale) upstairs at gunpoint.
• The gunman executed Makeva as she lay asleep.
  • Quay Greer (Makeva’s brother): “He has me by my neck and the gun to the back of my head... The gunman heads towards Makeva’s bedroom… A gunshot. The man runs past us... We see a big cloud of gun smoke. I can see a hole under her ear about the size of a nickel.” (03:48-04:29)
• Paramedics could not save her.

3. Early Suspects & Family Dynamics

[08:12-11:19]

• Initial suspicion fell on Makeva's mother, Quest, due to her troubled past and the gunman asking, “Where Quest at? Where the money at?”
  • Detective Shawn Oliver: “It appeared the gunman came in specifically looking for Quest.” (08:42)
• This thread is quickly dismissed after detectives confirm Quest was elsewhere the night of the murder; focus shifts away from revenge or mistaken identity.

4. Motives Explored

Social Media Wealth Flaunting

[11:40-13:21]

• Investigators considered whether Makeva was targeted for her apparent wealth, as she'd recently boasted on social media about her six-figure earnings.
• However, nothing was stolen during the murder—jewelry and cash were left untouched, undermining the robbery theory.

Domestic Strain and Life Insurance

[25:41-28:21]

• Details emerge about Makeva and Yuri’s strained relationship, Yuri’s infidelity, and Makeva’s contemplation of divorce.
  • Debra Roberts: “At one point in time, she wanted to just give up. But she managed to put it back together again and just keep on going.” (27:08-27:18)
• Makeva held a $500,000 life insurance policy—with her grandmother, not Yuri, as beneficiary. Yuri tried to claim the insurance immediately after her death and was disappointed to learn he was not the beneficiary.
  • Prosecutor: “Yuri, quickly after Makeva’s death, called the insurance company to collect on the policy... he made an incriminating comment.” (27:37-28:21)

5. The Investigation Unravels the Plot

[17:26-24:03]

• Detectives zero in on the behavior and statements of the three men in the house that night.
• Notably, Dimitri Dale’s conduct is suspicious: when the gunman rounds up Yuri and Quay, Dimitri is free to move, leaves the scene with a child, and later hands over his car keys to the gunman without resistance.
• Surveillance footage ties Dimitri’s car to Jovan Joseph, a friend of Dimitri’s who matches the description of the gunman.
• Under pressure, Dimitri confesses: he knew the gunman’s identity, and the plot to kill Makeva.

6. The Murder-for-Hire Plot Unmasked

[30:12-31:57]

• Dimitri testifies that Yuri planned his wife’s murder and recruited Jovan Joseph as the trigger man.
• Detective Shawn Oliver to Dimitri: “In a nutshell, Yuri tells you he’s gonna kill his wife. Two, you bring Javon to meet him. Three, Javon is in the back... Within nine minutes of the murder, you admit to me that it’s Javon that commits the murder.” (30:36-30:56)
• After arrest, Jovan Joseph admits it was a paid hit, implicating Yuri directly.

7. Courtroom Drama & Verdict

[34:06-37:37]

• Dimitri and Jovan, having cut plea deals, testify for the prosecution. Their credibility is challenged due to past lies; however, corroborating evidence supports their accounts.
  • Prosecutor: “People who agree to murder an innocent woman are not choir boys. They are criminals. They are liars. But sometimes you have to hold hands with the devil to do justice.” (33:20-33:33)
• Emotional testimonies, including Quay’s, punctuate the trial; Quay is barred from the courtroom after a dramatic outburst at Yuri.
  • Quay Greer: “I wanted to go up to him and choke him out and not let go until he wasn’t breathing.” (35:06)
• The defense rests without calling a single witness, claiming the case hinged on untrustworthy witnesses.
• The jury finds Yuri Jenkins guilty of first-degree murder; he receives a life sentence.
  • Narrator/Host: “I have been advised that the jury has reached a verdict… find the defendant guilty of first degree murder.” (37:03-37:10)

8. Aftermath and Continuing Fallout

[38:25-44:24]

• Jovan Joseph: 15 years for second-degree murder (after testifying).
  • Dimitri Dale: 45 days for manslaughter with a weapon (after testifying).
  • Prosecutor: “The person who is the most guilty is Yuri… who understandably and justifiably got the toughest sentence.” (38:15-38:25)
• Yuri’s subsequent TV interview reasserts his innocence, claiming he was framed for financial reasons.
• Appeal denied – appellate court defers to jury’s judgment on credibility.
• Makeva’s family and grandmother express sorrow and the lack of healing that follows.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Makeva's Determination:

  • “Even when she was down, she still thrived. She just wanted to make it happen no matter what.”
    — Debra Roberts (07:44-08:12)

• The Horror of the Crime:

  • “My whole world just fell apart.” — Quay Greer (04:50)
  • “It was just hell. It was real hell because I can’t help her, and I can’t stop her from hurting, and I can’t stop the pain.” — Quay Greer (05:06)

• On the Public Reaction to Yuri's TV Interview:

  • “He didn’t cry. He didn’t say, I love her. He just kept saying, she was an entrepreneur, a mother, and a wife… There was no emotion.”
    — Debra Roberts (29:05-29:21)

• Prosecutor’s Reflection:

  • “People who agree to murder an innocent woman are not choir boys. They are criminals. They are liars. But sometimes you have to hold hands with the devil to do justice.” (33:20)

• Quay’s Emotional Outburst:

  • “I wanted to go up to him and choke him out and not let go until he wasn’t breathing.”
    — Quay Greer (35:06)

• After the Verdict:

  • “There would never really be any real healing.” — Debra Roberts (43:43)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Makeva's Background & Family: 01:54 – 08:12
• The Night of the Murder: 03:08 – 06:19
• Initial Suspects & The Quest Angle: 08:12 – 11:19
• Social Media Influence & Financial Motive: 11:40 – 13:21
• Unravelling the Plot / Interviews & Confessions: 17:26 – 24:03, 30:12 – 31:57
• Courtroom & Verdict: 34:06 – 37:37
• Aftermath, Appeal & Reflections: 38:25 – 44:24

Tone and Storytelling

The episode is both investigative and personal, striking a balance between the chilling procedural details of a murder investigation and the deep emotional scars left on Makeva’s loved ones. The alternating perspectives—from those mourning Makeva, the detectives, and even the accused—capture the confusion, betrayal, and enduring pain wrought by the crime.

Conclusion

“Deadly Night (Revisited)” is a powerful exploration of a senseless tragedy, the complexities hidden beneath a seemingly perfect life, and the tireless pursuit of justice. Through candid interviews, emotional testimonies, and detailed investigation, it unearths not just the mechanics of a murder-for-hire, but the lasting impact on a family and community forever changed.