Anchors Away

Summary

48 Hours: "Anchors Away" – A Comprehensive Summary

Episode Title: Anchors Away
Release Date: March 12, 2025
Host/Author: CBS News' "48 Hours"
Description: This episode delves into the harrowing true story of Tom and Jackie Hawks, a couple whose idyllic life on their yacht, The Well Deserved, turned into a nightmare orchestrated by deceit and murder. Through meticulous reporting and gripping interviews, "48 Hours" uncovers the intricate details of the crime, the investigation, and the eventual pursuit of justice.

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1. Introduction to Tom and Jackie Hawks

The episode opens by painting a vivid picture of Tom and Jackie Hawks' life. Tom was a dedicated probation officer from Prescott, Arizona, known for his integrity and commitment to helping others. Jackie, his wife, complemented him perfectly with her warmth and love for family. Together, they fulfilled Tom’s dream of sailing, purchasing a 55-foot yacht named The Well Deserved.

Ryan Hawks, Tom’s son, reminisces about his father, saying, “He was a man’s man. He was… very masculine, very outdoors” [05:38]. The couple’s life was marked by adventure and joy, spending time on the water, swimming with dolphins, and enjoying sunsets that symbolized their tranquil existence.

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2. The Arrival of Skylar De Leon

The tranquility of the Hawks' life was disrupted by the arrival of Skylar De Leon, a troubled man with a manipulative nature. Skylar, who had a dark past involving drug dealing and dishonesty, saw an opportunity when Tom and Jackie placed an ad to sell their yacht.

Describing Skylar, Ryan Hawk states, “Skyler was a manipulator and somebody who was a complete con man. And she was a spoiled brat, basically” [14:54]. Skylar, along with his accomplices Alonzo Machene and John Fitzgerald Kennedy (JFK), orchestrated a plan to steal the yacht under the guise of being legitimate buyers.

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3. The Orchestrated Crime

On November 6, 2004, Skylar and his team met Tom and Jackie at the Newport Beach waterfront. Exhibiting deceptive charm, Skylar introduced JFK as his accountant. Convinced of their sincerity, Tom and Jackie agreed to a test drive of the yacht.

During the voyage, the true nature of Skylar’s plan unfolded. As Ryan Hawks recounts, “They picked Tom and Jackie up and paid him on the spot. It was so convenient. Just like that? Yeah. No hassle? None. That is super convenient” [00:00]. However, this convenience masked a meticulously planned murder.

As the yacht sailed into deep waters off Catalina Island, Skylar and his accomplices began their takeover. Tom attempted to resist, using all his strength to protect Jackie. In a desperate struggle, Tom managed to momentarily overpower Skylar, delivering a forceful kick that momentarily incapacitated him [27:22]. Despite this, Skylar regained control, and both Tom and Jackie were violently thrown overboard, struggling in the icy Pacific waters [28:05].

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4. The Investigation

Following the disappearance of Tom and Jackie Hawks, the Hawks' family grew increasingly concerned. Jim Hawks, Tom’s brother, conducted a preliminary inspection of the yacht and noted inconsistencies, such as a missing anchor, which led to suspicions about foul play [31:55].

Detective Sergeant Dave Byington and Sergeant Evan Saylor took on the case, uncovering Skylar’s web of deceit. They discovered Skylar's history of fraud, including falsified claims about his military service and acting career. Skylar’s alibi unraveled when his girlfriend, Jennifer De Leon, and Skylar himself were found to have forged documents, including a fake power of attorney, to manipulate the Hawks into handing over control of their finances [25:22].

Notably, Ryan Hawks shares his anguish, stating, “Everything else is just pure horror” [25:05], highlighting the emotional toll the investigation took on the family.

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5. Unraveling the Truth

As the investigation progressed, Alonzo Machene, plagued by guilt, came forward to confess his role in the crime. His testimony was pivotal in linking Skylar and JFK to the murders. Additionally, surveillance footage and forensic evidence from the yacht further solidified the case against the perpetrators.

Jennifer De Leon, initially uncooperative, eventually faced charges as the investigation revealed her involvement in supporting Skylar’s fraudulent activities. Despite an offer of immunity, she refused to testify against Skylar, leading to her conviction and sentencing to two life terms in prison [45:15].

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6. The Trial and Sentencing

The trial brought to light the extent of Skylar De Leon's manipulations and brutality. Prosecutor Matt Murphy emphasized the premeditated nature of the murders, underscoring Skylar's cold-blooded intent.

Skylar faced charges not only for the murders of Tom and Jackie Hawks but also for the earlier killing of John Jarvi, another victim of his schemes. Despite attempts by his defense attorney, Gary Poulsen, to mitigate his sentence, Skylar was ultimately convicted on all counts.

Ryan Hawks poignantly reflects, “A young mother could spend the rest of her life in prison” [41:40], underscoring the irreversible loss and justice served.

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7. Legacy and Reflection

The episode concludes with a reflection on the lasting impact of the tragedy on the Hawks family. Ryan Hawks shares his ongoing grief and the void left by his parents' untimely deaths. “Ever since this thing started, every day I look at the ocean and I say hi to Tom and Jackie” [45:43], he muses, indicating how the memory of his parents continues to resonate in his daily life.

The case of Tom and Jackie Hawks stands as a testament to the relentless pursuit of justice and the resilience of a family grappling with unimaginable loss. "48 Hours" not only chronicles the meticulous investigation and trial but also honors the enduring legacy of two individuals whose lives were tragically cut short by deception and violence.

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Notable Quotes with Attributions

• Ryan Hawks: “He was a man’s man. He was… very masculine, very outdoors” [05:38].

• Ryan Hawks: “Skyler was a manipulator and somebody who was a complete con man. And she was a spoiled brat, basically” [14:54].

• Ryan Hawks: “Everything else is just pure horror” [25:05].

• Ryan Hawks: “A young mother could spend the rest of her life in prison” [41:40].

• Ryan Hawks: “Ever since this thing started, every day I look at the ocean and I say hi to Tom and Jackie” [45:43].

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Conclusion

"Anchors Away" serves as a profound exploration of love, betrayal, and the pursuit of truth. Through in-depth interviews and compelling storytelling, "48 Hours" brings to light the complexities of the case, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of the events that unfolded on The Well Deserved. This episode not only sheds light on the criminal minds of Skylar De Leon and his accomplices but also honors the memory of Tom and Jackie Hawks, whose lives were tragically entwined in a tale of deceit and loss.

Transcript

[Ryan Hawks]

Yeah, sure thing. Hey, you sold that car yet? Yeah, sold it to Carvana. Oh, I thought you were selling to that guy. The guy who wanted to pay me in foreign currency, no interest over 36 months. Yeah, no. Carvana gave me an offer in minutes, picked it up and paid me on the spot. It was so convenient. Just like that? Yeah. No hassle? None. That is super convenient.

[Narrator]

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[Ryan Hawks]

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[Narrator]

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[Ryan Hawks]

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[Narrator]

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[Ryan Hawks]

All of our family memories are pretty much on the water. How's it going, Ryan? You having any fun? Yeah, great time. The happier times were definitely when a boat was involved. This is Captain Tom Hawks. Tom Hawks was a good guy. He surfed, he scuba tove. He was kind of a guy's guy. My father would introduce my brother and I, it would be, this isn't my son. This is my pride and joy. He always had that great laugh. He loved to joke around. It took him like 45 minutes to get crossed. He's 57 years old, but he was still. He was still like 12 at heart. I'm gonna go play some more. Jackie, hello. Hi, honey.

[Narrator]

I'm so glad to be home.

[Ryan Hawks]

I couldn't pitch with my father, anyone else or Jackie with anyone. El, Jackie's coming today. Got the boat all cleaned up. They were good, loyal friends and they loved each other. You could look up love in the dictionary and you'd see these two people there. Tom Hawks. His dream was always to sail off into the sunset. And he bought this boat. It's the well deserved. It was well deserved. They worked very hard for that. This is the beach that we collect our puka shells on. Tom and Jackie had so much fun on the boat. I'm jealous of what they were able to do. That thing. They got to swim with dolphins. Whales. Almost. Gotcha. Pull into ports of call. Go to little bars where mariachi bands are playing. They truly have the dream life.

[Narrator]

Massive search is underway for an Arizona couple last seen here in Newport Beach.

[Ryan Hawks]

It started out as a missing persons Case this needed to be solved. My father's friend called me and he's like, your dad's phone went to voicemail. It's really strange. My dad's the kind of guy you can set a watch by. I called my brother. I'm like, what do you think's going on, Matt? I was trying to think of what had happened, and my mind bounced back to the Skyler guy. Calling Skylar De Leon a sociopath is probably an insult to sociopaths. We wanted that all American little thing. You know, the house and all that kind of stuff. Jennifer De Leon is manipulative. She's bossy. The two of them meeting were like fire meeting gasoline. It's almost hard to tell the truth sometimes. After I look and what he was able to do, he scares the hell out of me. I still wake up. I have nightmares. And you didn't think anything like this could ever happen to him? You can't make a Hollywood movie. This horrific dark voyage.

[Narrator]

Tonight's 48 Hours Mystery. It sits cold as a tombstone like bleached bones giving silent testimony to a crime that defies humanity.

[Ryan Hawks]

This is probably the 30th time I've been on the vest, and I don't like it.

[Narrator]

Newport beach detective Dave Byington doesn't rattle easily.

[Ryan Hawks]

I get the heebie jeebies on this boat. I just don't feel comfortable on it. You start to think about, imagine. Only try to imagine what they experience, and it's too horrific. It is. The boat's underway. It's nighttime. It's cold. They don't know what's happen.

[Narrator]

The only thing that outweighs the horror of what happened that night is the power of Tom and Jackie Hawk's love. It is a fairytale romance that started hundreds of miles away from any ocean in the mountains of Prescott, Arizona, where Tom was raising two sons.

[Ryan Hawks]

He was a man's man. He was, you know, very masculine, very outdoors.

[Narrator]

Tom's boys, Ryan and Matt, big on the chores.

[Ryan Hawks]

We did a lot of chores, and he just wanted us to appreciate what we had in life.

[Narrator]

Sons from a first marriage that ended in an amicable divorce.

[Ryan Hawks]

He would take us to Catalina island, do a lot of hiking. Some of my better times with him were on the water.

[Narrator]

Was it a good life?

[Ryan Hawks]

Oh, it was absolute, great life.

[Narrator]

It was a life where toughness was.

[Ryan Hawks]

Taught early on, you know, stay strong. I remember if I wrecked or cried as a little kid, he'd be like, toughen up, boy. Toughen up. Come on. Come on.

[Narrator]

Above all else, this man Played by the rules.

[Ryan Hawks]

I think Tom really enjoyed working with people.

[Narrator]

Tom worked with the probation office of Yavapai county, helping those in trouble find a second chance.

[Ryan Hawks]

Tom was the kind of probation officer take a real interest in the problems that his probationers were having.

[Narrator]

John Ryder, Brian Gray and Bill Piano were Tom's co workers and knew what kind of a man he was.

[Ryan Hawks]

Tom was a quality guy. I believe Tom's family life, like most of us, was real important to him.

[Narrator]

But something major was missing then the tough single father had his heart melted by one Jackie O'Neill.

[Ryan Hawks]

She met Tom at a chili cook off. I believe it was in July of 86.

[Narrator]

Patricia Shutes and Jackie O'Neal were best friends. He would walk on water for her and she would do the same for him. It was clear where things were heading.

[Ryan Hawks]

He got like down on his hands.

[Narrator]

And knees and he asked her to marry him.

[Ryan Hawks]

She was very excited and she was very happy.

[Narrator]

And soon so were Ryan and Matt because there was a downside to life alone with father.

[Ryan Hawks]

I remember he calls it his famous goulash. And he would make a pot of it for like a week. And every time we come home for dinner it'd be like, ugh. Really? This again.

[Narrator]

Thankfully, things changed once Tom and Jackie.

[Ryan Hawks]

Wed. Dinner's got a lot better.

[Narrator]

Both Matt and Ryan were still in elementary school. Did you think of Jackie as your mom also?

[Ryan Hawks]

Oh, absolutely. We called her mom growing up, she.

[Narrator]

Was the best mother any boys could ever have.

[Ryan Hawks]

Jackie, she's a real trooper most of the time when they do something, it's my father's idea. And Jackie never complains and she just goes with it.

[Narrator]

So it came as no surprise when Tom sold their house and Jackie said yes to a dream her husband had been nurturing for years.

[Ryan Hawks]

Tom's goals in life was to retire and live on the sea, own a yacht. He said life's too short and it's my life and this is our time. And I feel if I hesitate, it'll just go by and I'll miss it.

[Narrator]

It was here in Newport Beach, California that Tom and Jackie Hawks came to find paradise. Their dream was rooted in two simple things. Being together and being on a boat. Few people had lived better lives, so it seemed almost like fate when the couple bought a 55 foot yacht that was already named the well deserved.

[Ryan Hawks]

This is Captain Tom Hawkson. Well deserved.

[Narrator]

For Tom and Jackie, a dream had come true. Life was an endless cruise.

[Ryan Hawks]

We're heading out for these islands over here. Hi.

[Narrator]

Filled with good times and best. Friends.

[Ryan Hawks]

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody. Happy Thanksgiving.

[Narrator]

Did you have a chance to spend time with him on the boat?

[Ryan Hawks]

Yes. It was the most awesome journey in my life. Wow. Here goes Tom trying to swim with us.

[Narrator]

From Catalina island to Mexico's Sea of Cortez.

[Ryan Hawks]

This is what cruisin is all about. Go.

[Narrator]

Oh, yeah.

[Ryan Hawks]

I'd be sitting at work and I'd be getting emails like, the water's 80 degrees, the surf's pumping, and Mom's making me go catch dinner and I'm like, life's tough and there's the sun going down. It's hard to explain what the feeling is out here. Being on water for them was a solitude. It was seeing the curve of the earth and seeing the sunset fall right behind it. Every night.

[Narrator]

While the Hawks were living life on the sea, something wonderful was happening in the mountains of Prescott, Arizona. Something that would alter their lives forever.

[Ryan Hawks]

Say hi, Grandma.

[Narrator]

Matt and his wife Nicole welcomed baby Jase.

[Ryan Hawks]

They were just very excited. Jackie was already buying baby clothes. Oh, he is looking at you, Grandpa. I've never seen such a big nose.

[Narrator]

After three years at sea, Tom and Jackie decided being grandparents was worth more than all the sunsets across the Pacific.

[Ryan Hawks]

They wanted to come back and be part of our lives because they believed very strongly in family.

[Narrator]

They put a small ad in a boating magazine. The well deserved was on the market. All they needed now was an honest buyer.

[Ryan Hawks]

Tom and Jackie Hawks put their boat up for sale. And I went to buy it.

[Narrator]

I'm ready for my life to change. ABC Sundays. American Idol is all new.

[Ryan Hawks]

Give it your all. Good luck coming out with the golden ticket. Let's hear it. This is a man's world. I've never seen anything like it.

[Narrator]

And a new chapter begins.

[Ryan Hawks]

You're going to Hollywood.

[Narrator]

Carrie Underwood joins Lionel Richie, Luke Bryant and Ryan Seacrest on American Idol News.

[Ryan Hawks]

Sundays, 8, 7 Central on ABC and stream on Hulu. Still getting around to that fix on your car? You got this on ebay. You'll find millions of parts guaranteed to fit. Doesn't matter if it's a major engine repair or your first time swapping your windshield wipers. Ebay has that part you need. Ready to click perfectly into place for changes big and small, loud or quiet. Find all the parts you need at prices you'll love. Guaranteed to fit every time. But you already know that. Ebay things people love. Eligible items only. Exclusion Supply.

[Narrator]

Skylar De Leon File under loo. Loser.

[Ryan Hawks]

Growing up, I've never really felt like loved.

[Narrator]

If the Hawks are all about family, Skyler the man who answered the ad for the well deserved is all about the lack of it. Was it a happy childhood?

[Ryan Hawks]

No, my childhood. I hated it. Hate the environment. My dad.

[Narrator]

Tell me a little bit about your dad.

[Ryan Hawks]

I hated him. He was into manufacturing drugs and I guess distributing and selling them.

[Narrator]

Big time drug dealer, I would say.

[Ryan Hawks]

So.

[Narrator]

Despite those odds, Skyler did try to make something of himself as an actor. He even made it onto a TV show, the Power Rangers. He would tell people he was a major member of the show's cast. And that was a lie?

[Ryan Hawks]

Yes.

[Narrator]

In fact, you were just an extra on the show.

[Ryan Hawks]

It was a guest. Something.

[Narrator]

How many times?

[Ryan Hawks]

Three times.

[Narrator]

Then eager to get away from an abusive home, Skyler joined the Marines.

[Ryan Hawks]

I ended up going ua. Were you awol? Yes, I was.

[Narrator]

Skylar was fast drifting nowhere.

[Ryan Hawks]

I don't think I had a life plan.

[Narrator]

And then Skylar De Leon met a small town girl with big ideas. How did you guys meet?

[Ryan Hawks]

From a random email.

[Narrator]

Jennifer Henderson grew up in Long Beach, California in a devoutly religious home. She'd finished high school and ended up working in a hair salon. After they chatted for a few weeks online, she and Skylar agreed to meet at the mall.

[Ryan Hawks]

She wasn't really doing a whole lot with her life until she met Skylar.

[Narrator]

Orange county prosecutor Matt Murphy now knows everything about these two aimless young adults and their twisted relationship.

[Ryan Hawks]

He was basically a manipulator and somebody who was a complete con man. And she was a spoiled brat, basically. So the two of them getting together was the perfect combination. I think she's definitely more dominant.

[Narrator]

They'd marry and soon Haley was born. Pressure mounted for Skylar to support his new family and prove his worth to Jennifer.

[Ryan Hawks]

I definitely loved her. I mean, to the point there's, I mean, nothing I wouldn't do for her.

[Narrator]

But Skylar couldn't hold a job, couldn't find a way to move his young family out of his in laws garage apartment. He grew desperate. Other than going AWOL with the military, had you ever committed a crime before all of this started to happen?

[Ryan Hawks]

Not until I met Jim.

[Narrator]

Skyler's new ambition led him to a new line of work. Burglary. But he was arrested and ended up here, California's Seal Beach City Jail. Leaving Jennifer to care for their baby.

[Ryan Hawks]

There were $87,000 in debt. Skylar had no job. She was pregnant again.

[Narrator]

Was she happy?

[Ryan Hawks]

No.

[Narrator]

Tired of the bills.

[Ryan Hawks]

Tired of the bills.

[Narrator]

Tired of living at her parents.

[Ryan Hawks]

Living at the parents. She's like, you know, well, we gotta do something.

[Narrator]

It was that pressure that led Skyler to Tom and Jackie Hawks, where he used the one deadly skill he really had. How do you rate Skyler as a.

[Ryan Hawks]

Con artist as far as his effect on other people? I've never seen anything like Sky.

[Narrator]

This is all that is left of Tom and Jackie's dream. The well deserved is now in dry dock in a Southern California lot. Even those who chase horror for a living are haunted by the depravity of what happened here.

[Ryan Hawks]

It drives me nuts, it gets me so angry. And you start thinking about it. It's one of those things you need to get out of your mind because it's that terrible.

[Narrator]

It all began with that simple ad in a boating magazine. The ad that Tom had placed so he and Jackie could spend more time with their family.

[Ryan Hawks]

I called and I talked to him.

[Narrator]

Were you planning on buying the boat?

[Ryan Hawks]

Well, we didn't really have the money.

[Narrator]

So then what was your thought?

[Ryan Hawks]

I guess our thought at that point was to I guess, rip them off.

[Narrator]

But Skyler knew he would need help. That's when he enlisted this man, Alonso Machain, a young prison guard he had met when locked up on that burglary charge.

[Ryan Hawks]

Alonzo is unsophisticated. He hasn't been a lot of places. He hasn't done a lot of things. So he was ripe, I think, for Skylar to enlist as a confederate in this whole thing.

[Narrator]

On November 6, 2004, Skylar and Alonso went down to the waterfront to meet Tom and Jackie. Tom, smart and savvy, didn't like what he saw.

[Ryan Hawks]

Thomas Hawks had been a probation officer for 20 years and Thomas Hawks was kind of leery.

[Narrator]

Tom hawks was asking $435,000 for the well deserved. Skylar just didn't look like the kind of guy with that kind of cash. When Jackie started proudly boasting about her new grandchild.

[Ryan Hawks]

Say hi Grandma.

[Narrator]

Skylar saw his opening. His grandpa family holding his old grand boy.

[Ryan Hawks]

The first thing Skylar did when they got off the boat is he picked up his phone and he called Jennifer up in Long beach and he said, you gotta come down here and bring Hailey and put these people at ease.

[Narrator]

So Jennifer came down that same day, used the kids.

[Ryan Hawks]

Right. I can't think of anything more horrific than a mother using her child. It's, it's. I don't know.

[Narrator]

But the Hawks fell for it. Convinced they had a real buyer. They couldn't imagine the trap that was being set. No one could. The disgraced Marine sized up the lifelong public servant physically, physically, mentally.

[Ryan Hawks]

Yes.

[Narrator]

To see if you could overtake them.

[Ryan Hawks]

Yes.

[Narrator]

And what did you think when you saw Tom?

[Ryan Hawks]

That he's pretty big.

[Narrator]

The gang of two needed a tough guy.

[Ryan Hawks]

Skylar had recruited a gang member from Long beach named John Fitzherald Kennedy. He's with a gang called Insane Crips.

[Narrator]

It gives a sick new meaning to ironic. Arrested more than 20 times, John Fitzgerald Kennedy joined the plot. Skylar set a date to test drive the boat while Jennifer sat home, her child having served her purpose.

[Ryan Hawks]

She's up to her eyeballs on the whole thing.

[Narrator]

It was November 15th. Alonzo came along and JFK even wore a suit. Skyler told Tom and Jackie Kennedy was his accountant. The well deserved headed out to sea. You were able to fool him?

[Ryan Hawks]

I think so.

[Narrator]

You're that good of a liar?

[Ryan Hawks]

I. I hate to say yeah, but I think so.

[Narrator]

Good and evil were about to intersect in the waters off Newport Beach. Tom and Jackie Hawks guided the well deserved from the shelter of the harbor. But as light danced across the waves, darkness was set to descend. Brought on by the very passengers they had invited on board. Alonso McChne, John Kennedy and their hapless leader, Skylar De Leon.

[Ryan Hawks]

I don't think anything was even 100% serious until it was too late.

[Narrator]

And when was that?

[Ryan Hawks]

On the boat?

[Narrator]

That is one of Skyler's lies. The truth is everything was deadly serious and meticulously plotted weeks before when Skylar and Jennifer used their very own baby to con Tom Hawks into believing they were honest buyers.

[Ryan Hawks]

He's capable of making decisions, planning things out.

[Narrator]

Over a period of time, Detective Sergeant Dave Byington and Sergeant Evan Saylor would come to know everything about Skyler's plans, right down to the tasers and handcuffs he brought on board. It gives a whole new meaning to the concept of premeditated, does it not?

[Ryan Hawks]

Beyond anything I could imagine.

[Narrator]

That is because stealing the 55 foot yacht was only the start of the plan.

[Ryan Hawks]

They didn't want to get a job. They wanted to take other people's money.

[Narrator]

Because of the work led by Byington and Saylor, the well deserved would become evidence. Incredible detective work by the two cops would eventually reveal every horrifying moment of that day at sea. This was really their home?

[Ryan Hawks]

Yes, it was. They lived near. This is pretty much as if they left for a short trip and then came back. Everything is intact, the way it was when they lived on. This is the main stateroom, where the bed is, where Thomas and Jackie slept.

[Narrator]

The boat was now anchored well outside Newport beach harbor. Skylar De Leon went below. Moments later, John Kennedy, the hulking gang banger who was pretending to be Skylar's accountant also came down feigning seasickness.

[Ryan Hawks]

Eventually, Thomas Hawkes goes down to investigate because they're not returning.

[Narrator]

Jackie remained on deck with the jittery Alonso McChne.

[Ryan Hawks]

Jackie first hears a commotion down in the stateroom, and at this point, she sees Thomas Hawkes being choked by John Fitzgerald Kennedy and being struck by Schuyler De Leon.

[Narrator]

And then what does Alonzo do to her up here?

[Ryan Hawks]

Alonzo now knows that he has to do his part, and he starts to overpower Jackie. First by applying the taser, he actually overpowers this poor woman, puts handcuffs on her. Schuyler and John Fitzgerald Kennedy end up overpowering Thomas Hawks. They handcuff him, and eventually both Jackie Hawks is brought downstairs with Thomas Hawks, and they're laid on their bedroom bound.

[Narrator]

Now, Tom and Jackie Hawks would be gagged.

[Ryan Hawks]

Skylar tells Alonzo to go get some duct tape, and Skylar instructs him to duct tape over their mouth and their eyes, and he proceeds to do so.

[Narrator]

Tom and Jackie huddled together on their bed. These are the details their sons, Ryan and Matt would come to know. Agonizing flashbacks that will never fade.

[Ryan Hawks]

She couldn't stop crying. She was yelling at Skylar, saying, you this, you that. You took your baby daughter and your. And your wife on her boat. How could you? She was begging for her life, wanting to see her grandchild again. I mean, she was only 47 years old. And I think the only thing my father could move was his hands. And he just calmly stroked Jackie's hands to give her some level of comfort.

[Narrator]

That's the last moment. That's the last gentle moment they had between the two of them.

[Ryan Hawks]

And I never thought of that. You're absolutely right. That is. And everything else is just pure horror.

[Narrator]

Finally, the depth of the depravity of Skylar's plan was about to be revealed. He produced this set of phony documents and handed the Hawks a pen. What was the paperwork that you wanted them to sign?

[Ryan Hawks]

It was the documentation of the vessel and the power of attorney.

[Narrator]

Power of attorney for all of their bank accounts?

[Ryan Hawks]

Yes.

[Narrator]

It's all laid out here.

[Ryan Hawks]

Papers are laid out. They brought with them an ink pad. Jackie's obviously still crying. She can't help herself, and it's understandable. They remove one handcuff, and they remove a little bit of the tape so that she can see out, instruct her to sign her name, roll her fingerprints. Then Skylar starts asking her various questions about her accounts, account numbers, where the banks are.

[Narrator]

Now it was Tom's turn to sign Away the honest life he had worked so hard for. To a man who had hardly worked an honest day in his life.

[Ryan Hawks]

If there was a chance of living, I think he was willing to just stay calm and follow their commands. And he proceeds to sign all the paperwork, roll his fingerprints, and gives him the account information that he's requesting.

[Narrator]

The phony papers signed, the well deserved powered further out to sea.

[Ryan Hawks]

Scott, who came up and punched in coordinates which sent him out to Santa Catalina.

[Narrator]

And he knew exactly where he was going.

[Ryan Hawks]

Absolutely.

[Narrator]

Out towards the deep waters off Catalina island where Tom and Jackie had so many good times. Hi, Jackie. And were only days before they had enjoyed a final cruise with friends on the well deserved.

[Ryan Hawks]

And these people were living a dream. And Schuyler just took it.

[Narrator]

Handcuffed, gagged, and now tied to one another with nautical ropes. Tom and Jackie were dragged up on deck. That is when they heard the sound.

[Ryan Hawks]

He hears that chain coming. There's no doubt, because when Schuyler gets behind him and starts to, he actually hooks the anchor to the rope. So now this anchor is now attached to these two poor people.

[Narrator]

This big, heavy anchor.

[Ryan Hawks]

It's massive.

[Narrator]

Was the anchor used? Yeah, it was used.

[Ryan Hawks]

He heard that sound a hundred times. And he's like, son of a bitch, they're not gonna let us go. He knew his destiny, and I believe that's why he fought back one last time. And he basically does a reverse mule kick with his leg and kicks Skyler. He kicks him so severely that Skyler is lifted up off of his feet and lands on his backside. John Fitzgerald Kennedy is where you're at. He sees this, and JFK is a big man and he levels him, hits him. It knocks Thomas Hawks out because the punch is so severe and so violent.

[Narrator]

With the anchor chain tied around the couple, Skylar threw the anchor overboard. The chain fed out into the sea, yanking Tom and Jackie into the icy waters.

[Ryan Hawks]

So that's where they are right now. They're 3,600ft below the cold Pacific Ocean, tied to an anchor.

[Narrator]

Have you cried?

[Ryan Hawks]

Absolutely. By myself.

[Narrator]

Just alone, yes.

[Ryan Hawks]

But I don't cry in front of people.

[Narrator]

The deed now done, the well deserved headed back to Newport Beach. Skylar De Leon called his wife Jennifer on his cell phone. You called her after they were dead?

[Ryan Hawks]

Yes.

[Narrator]

Do you remember what she said?

[Ryan Hawks]

I remember her asking if I was sure.

[Narrator]

And what did you tell her?

[Ryan Hawks]

I was like, I'm sure.

[Narrator]

Skyler had a motto. Can you tell me what that was?

[Ryan Hawks]

No body, no crime. No body, no crime.

[Narrator]

And he thought he was going to get away with it because there were no bodies?

[Ryan Hawks]

Yes.

[Narrator]

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[Ryan Hawks]

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[Narrator]

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[Ryan Hawks]

Place in American culture, but there are stories you won't hear on the campus tours. The higher ups are concerned about one thing and that is avoiding scandal. I'm Margo Gray on the new podcast Campus Files.

[Narrator]

We cover everything from rigged admissions to the drama of Greek life and student protests.

[Ryan Hawks]

Listen to and follow Campus Files, an.

[Narrator]

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[Ryan Hawks]

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[Narrator]

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[Narrator]

Hi everybody. Hi Jackie.

[Ryan Hawks]

I'm so glad you could join us on our last voyage on well deserved.

[Narrator]

Friends and family believe Tom and Jackie had just sold the well deserved and were headed home to Prescott to see their new grandson. Matt and Ryan couldn't wait.

[Ryan Hawks]

I called my dad's first, went straight to voicemail. Then I called Jackie's and it went straight to voicemail and he never shut off their phone.

[Narrator]

What was going through your head at that point?

[Ryan Hawks]

I was thinking, I'm like maybe they'd take a last minute cruise. And I talked to my Uncle Jim, which is he's a retired chief police for Carls Bend.

[Narrator]

Jim Hawks is Tom's big brother. They had spoken just a few days earlier about Skylar and Jennifer buying the boat.

[Ryan Hawks]

It was very brief, you know, just hey ugly. We called each other that and if you need help when you get ready to move, just let us know.

[Narrator]

But it had been about a week since that final conversation. Jim decided to take a look at his brother's boat, which was tied up back In Newport Beach.

[Ryan Hawks]

We circled the boat on its mooring and noticed things out of, out of place.

[Narrator]

Then Jim and a friend boarded the well deserved.

[Ryan Hawks]

I said, just be careful. Don't touch any, you know, smooth surface. Let's treat this like it could be a crime scene. And I called my brother. And he finally said it out loud. I'm like, what do you think's going on, Matt? He's like, they're dead. I think they're dead.

[Narrator]

Eleven days after Tom and Jackie last left port, Jim Hawkes filed a missing persons report. That's when Byington and Saylor drew the case of a lifetime. At what point then did you first hear the names Skylar and Jennifer deleon?

[Ryan Hawks]

Actually, the deleon's were both listed in the initial missing person reports.

[Narrator]

Within days, Skyler agreed to be interviewed.

[Ryan Hawks]

Were you looking to buy a boat?

[Narrator]

I'm pretty much always looking cool, calm and collected. The con man spun his tail.

[Ryan Hawks]

This is exactly what I want. Is it perfect?

[Narrator]

Sure. Skyler told the cops he just bought the well deserved.

[Ryan Hawks]

We spent like $4.85 on it.

[Narrator]

But he'd never taken it out of the harbor. Skyler said he had paid Tom Hawks in cash and that Tom and Jackie had said something about heading down to Mexico.

[Ryan Hawks]

As far as we know, he's in San Carlos right now.

[Narrator]

When asked where he got over $400,000 in cash, Skyler came up with a doozy, saying the cash was profit from a drug deal.

[Ryan Hawks]

$60,000 here or $90,000 there. Right? We're talking about this money that he had a launder. He was very at ease telling us this stuff.

[Narrator]

It threw detectives off. Skylar confessing to a crime. Plus he had all the paperwork to prove the boat was legally his. All those documents he had forced Tom and Jackie to sign.

[Ryan Hawks]

Skyler, you got nothing to do with his disappearance, right? No. And your wife doesn't either? No.

[Narrator]

Police also spoke to Jennifer, and for the most part, the cops bought the couple's story.

[Ryan Hawks]

Thanks very much for showing me.

[Narrator]

Just like the Hawks had, I was.

[Ryan Hawks]

Convinced that they were telling the truth.

[Narrator]

But their story began to fall apart when the daily Owns went to Tom and Jackie's bank with that phony power of attorney document. They tried to make a withdrawal.

[Ryan Hawks]

We've got surveillance videos of her smiling ear to ear, you know, trying to basically steal these people's money.

[Narrator]

And then police got a tip from Skyler's parole officer, learning he had asked permission to leave the country.

[Ryan Hawks]

Our concern was that he's now a flight risk.

[Narrator]

That's When Skylar De Leon was arrested, but not for murder, he just kept.

[Ryan Hawks]

On asking me, what am I being charged with? Once I told him it was money laundering, I could see that kind of like that sigh of relief.

[Narrator]

That feeling wouldn't last long as police moved in, searching the cramped garage apartment Skylar and Jennifer had so desperately wanted to leave behind.

[Ryan Hawks]

When we found their video camera.

[Narrator]

The Hawks video camera, yes.

[Ryan Hawks]

We found Jackie's laptop computer and then the batteries to Thomas and Jackie's Sprint nextel phones. On December 16, we get a call from San Miguel Village, Mexico, saying that the Hawk's vehicle is there. And then we come to find out the vehicle had been dropped off by Skyler about a week earlier. Following him in another car was his wife, Jennifer.

[Narrator]

It was time to talk with the district attorney.

[Ryan Hawks]

We hit it out of the ballpark, getting Matt Murphy as our da.

[Narrator]

Matt Murphy, with his love of surfing and his passion for justice, quickly grasped the enormity of what had happened.

[Ryan Hawks]

Thomas and Jacky Hawks were not only really good people, they were totally innocent.

[Narrator]

Prosecutor Matt Murphy had a problem. He had never dealt with a crime scene like this before, and he knew very little about boats. But he knew someone who did.

[Ryan Hawks]

I'm not a nine to five guy.

[Narrator]

Salty Sam, aka Gary Burns, a friend of Murphy's, 6,000 miles away in Darwin, Australia.

[Ryan Hawks]

He's a character. He's lived on boats for pretty much his whole life.

[Narrator]

Matt called Gary and described the shadowy outlines of the case.

[Ryan Hawks]

I called Matt back and said a boat that size will probably have for sure, two anchors. Get your guys to go on board the boat. Count the anchors that are on there. Sure enough, just like Gary said, there was an anchor that should have been on the boat that wasn't.

[Narrator]

Now investigators had their theory. What they needed was an eyewitness, and Skyler provided one.

[Ryan Hawks]

His name is Alonzo Machene.

[Narrator]

Alonzo Machene. Skylar told police Alonso had been with him when he bought the boat and could back up his story. But Skyler bet wrong on Alonso.

[Ryan Hawks]

He is the only one in this investigation that actually had a conscience. And it was that guilty conscience eating at him.

[Narrator]

After briefly fleeing to Mexico, Alonso returned to Newport beach and made a full confession about his involvement.

[Ryan Hawks]

I was able to cuff Mrs. Hawk. Just didn't know what's going on.

[Narrator]

And every horrific detail of the murders.

[Ryan Hawks]

Scholar was looking for anchor to push them over. Both Scholar acted as well. They were being bound and tossed overboard. It was called, like, the most normal thing.

[Narrator]

McChne also told police about the muscle for the murder. Gang member John Fitzgerald Kennedy, March 2005 Alonso, JFK and mastermind Skylar De Leon are all charged with the murders of Tom and Jackie Hawks. Jennifer De Leon told a local news crew Skyler was innocent. Would your husband want to kill someone for their money?

[Ryan Hawks]

No, this is not him.

[Narrator]

But Murphy and company weren't done yet. They had the alleged killers who had been on the boat. Now it was time to focus on the one who dialed into the murder on a cell phone.

[Ryan Hawks]

They tie him up. He called Jennifer the time they were killed. He made a call to Jennifer. When they were turning back after throwing these four people off a boat, he made a call to Jennifer.

[Narrator]

What if they try and point the finger at you and say you were involved?

[Ryan Hawks]

You have to be positive and hope that it wouldn't come to that and it wouldn't take you away from your kids.

[Narrator]

23 year old Jennifer De Leon is now facing the same fate as her husband. A month after her husband, Jennifer De Leon was also charged with first degree murder.

[Ryan Hawks]

Thomas and Jackie Hawks were thrown overboard alive and begging for their lives.

[Narrator]

Matt Murphy was determined to get justice for Tom and Jackie Hawks is as.

[Ryan Hawks]

Ruthless and as dark and as cold blooded as any murder capable of being committed by another human being.

[Narrator]

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[Ryan Hawks]

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[Ryan Hawks]

Edu Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile with a message for everyone paying Big wireless way too much. Please, for the love of everything good in this world, stop with Mint. You can get premium wireless for just $15 a month. Of course, if you enjoy overpaying. No judgments. But that's weird. Okay, one judgment anyway. Give it a [e-mail] Switch upfront payment of $45 for three month plan equivalent.

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[Narrator]

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[Ryan Hawks]

This very well thought out diabolical plot to do this. They thought they were going to get away with it because the bodies have never and will never be recovered. The three defendants were charged with two counts of murder.

[Narrator]

Each prosecutor Matt Murphy was working overtime preparing to bring Skylar De Leon and his crew to justice. 23 year old Jennifer Deleon is now potentially facing the same fate as her husband. With Skyler his prime target. Murphy approached his wife Jennifer with a deal.

[Ryan Hawks]

We offered her immunity.

[Narrator]

You basically gave her a full ride without any trouble.

[Ryan Hawks]

We offered her a complete walk initially in the investigation.

[Narrator]

And she said no.

[Ryan Hawks]

And she said no.

[Narrator]

Jennifer refused to testify against her husband. But Skylar was willing to tell us about Jennifer. Whose idea was it to kill them? Yours or hers?

[Ryan Hawks]

She threw it out there of what if they're not here?

[Narrator]

And you agreed?

[Ryan Hawks]

And I agreed. A young mother could spend the rest.

[Narrator]

Of her life in prison. First to stand trial. Jennifer De Leon.

[Ryan Hawks]

In less than four hours.

[Narrator]

And on November 17, 2006, Jennifer is found guilty of first degree murder and is sentenced to two life terms in a California prison. Skyler would be tried next. What are your thoughts on him testifying?

[Ryan Hawks]

Not a chance.

[Narrator]

That from Skyler's own attorney Gary Poulsen. And why is that?

[Ryan Hawks]

Because he's told so many lies.

[Narrator]

And it turns out Tom and Jackie may not be Skyler's only victims. Who's JP Jarvey?

[Ryan Hawks]

John Jarvi.

[Narrator]

And who is he?

[Ryan Hawks]

He was a person that I was at Seal beach jail with.

[Narrator]

Did you kill him?

[Ryan Hawks]

That's. Don't you.

[Narrator]

Gary Poulsen wouldn't let Skyler tell us about this man John Jarvey. Skyler targeted Jarvey a year before he met Tom and Jackie.

[Ryan Hawks]

He conned John Jarvey into taking out $50,000 on his condo. Told some sort of story that John Jarvi bought into and convinced John Jarvi to accompany him down into Mexico. And he let him off down into a ravine and there Skyler De Leon cut his throat.

[Narrator]

Skylar is charged with John Jarvi's murder. Leaving no question that the conman is also a cold blooded killer. Did you kill Tom and Jackie Hawks?

[Ryan Hawks]

Per. I guess according to law and stuff like that. Yes.

[Narrator]

The answer is yes.

[Ryan Hawks]

Yes.

[Narrator]

The three killings are merged into one trial.

[Ryan Hawks]

I expect a pretty quick verdict.

[Narrator]

And it didn't take long.

[Ryan Hawks]

And it's guilty. Guilty. Guilty.

[Narrator]

Skyler is convicted of the murders of Tom and Jackie Hawks and John Jarvis.

[Ryan Hawks]

Other than his father.

[Narrator]

Now Gary Poulsen was only fighting for one thing. Keeping Skyler off death row.

[Ryan Hawks]

That's all I'm going for.

[Narrator]

But those who treasure the memory of Tom and Jackie had very different ideas.

[Ryan Hawks]

Death. I'm hoping for the death penalty. If anybody deserves a death penalty it's Skylar De Leon.

[Narrator]

Are you afraid to die.

[Ryan Hawks]

No.

[Narrator]

Skyler's life hung in the balance, yet he was still blaming everyone but himself. The feeling I'm getting from you is that you're this weasely little guy who's trying to make his wife happy. You concoct this big scheme and then you lost control of it.

[Ryan Hawks]

Yeah, kind of.

[Narrator]

That's the part that people will hold you responsible for. And the people did. On April 10, 2009, Skylar de Leon is sentenced to death.

[Ryan Hawks]

It wasn't a good feeling or exciting. It was sad because it was all over. My parents are still missing, and I'll never get a chance to bury him. Never get a chance to say goodbye. And that bothers me.

[Narrator]

In death, as in life, Tom and Jackie Hawks touched everyone they ever met.

[Ryan Hawks]

Ever since this thing started, every day I look at the ocean and I say hi to Tom and Jackie. Every day. I make a point of saying hello to him both.

[Narrator]

Do you think you always will?

[Ryan Hawks]

Probably, yeah. In 2009, gang member John Fitzgerald Kennedy was found guilty and sentenced to death. California's governor imposed a moratorium on executions. In 2019, Alonzo Machene was found guilty and sentenced to 20 years for crimes.

[Narrator]

Including manslaughter and kidnapping.