5 Shocking Facts About The 'Power Ranger Killer' Skylar Deleon: From Child Star To Death Row Inmate
The tragic and bizarre case of Skylar Deleon, the former child actor who gained notoriety as the 'Power Ranger Killer,' continues to captivate true crime enthusiasts. As of December 2025, Deleon remains a condemned inmate on California's death row, a stark contrast to the bright lights of Hollywood he once sought. This article dives deep into the horrific crimes, the shocking trial, and the incredibly unique current status of the individual at the center of one of California's most gruesome murder cases, ensuring you have the most up-to-date information on this notorious figure.
While many associate the moniker with a single, brutal act, Deleon's crime spree was a calculated plot fueled by desperation and greed. His connection to the beloved children's franchise, a non-speaking role in Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers, has forever cemented a dark footnote in the show's history, making the reality of the murders even more unsettling and difficult to comprehend.
Skylar Julius Deleon: Biography & Profile Summary
- Full Name at Birth: John Julius Jacobson, Jr.
- Date of Birth: August 12, 1979
- Current Legal Name: Skylar Julius Deleon (Identifies as Skylar Sophia DeLeon)
- Place of Birth: Ventura, California, USA
- Marital Status: Married to Jennifer Henderson (Deleon) at the time of the murders.
- Children: Two (with Jennifer Henderson).
- Career: Former child actor, best known for a non-speaking role in Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers (1994) and an appearance in the film Sundance (1998).
- Crime: Convicted of the 2004 double murder of Thomas and Jackie Hawks, and the 2003 murder of Jon Jarvi.
- Motive: Financial gain, specifically to steal the Hawks' yacht and life savings.
- Sentence: Death by lethal injection (currently stayed by a moratorium in California).
- Current Incarceration Status (Dec 2025): Condemned Inmate on California's Death Row (CDCR list updated December 4, 2025).
The Gruesome Yacht Murder: The Case of Thomas and Jackie Hawks
The crime that led to Skylar Deleon's death sentence was the calculated and horrific murder of Thomas and Jackie Hawks, a retired couple from Arizona who were selling their 55-foot yacht, the Well Deserved, to live a life of travel on land. Deleon, along with his then-pregnant wife, Jennifer, and two accomplices, presented themselves as interested buyers in November 2004.
The Cold-Blooded Plot for Financial Gain
Deleon's financial situation was dire, and he saw the Hawks' yacht and their life savings as an easy solution. The plan was meticulously executed. Deleon and his crew—Alonso Machain and John Fitzgerald Kennedy—took the Hawks out for a "test sail" near Newport Harbor.
Once miles offshore, the true horror unfolded. The couple was ambushed, tied to the yacht's anchor, and forced to sign over their power of attorney and ownership of the boat. This was the critical step for Deleon to later access their bank accounts and sell the vessel.
The Vanishing Act and Lack of a Body
After forcing the couple to sign the documents, Thomas and Jackie Hawks were thrown overboard, still alive and tied to the anchor, to drown in the Pacific Ocean. Their bodies were never recovered, making the case particularly challenging and chilling.
The lack of a body did not deter prosecutors. Deleon, in a moment of arrogance, later bragged about the murder to an undercover officer while incarcerated, providing the crucial details needed for a conviction.
Skylar Deleon's Shocking Transformation on Death Row
Perhaps the most current and unique development in the 'Power Ranger Killer' case involves Skylar Deleon's life after conviction. Sentenced to death in 2009, Deleon has spent the last decade-plus on California's death row, where a significant personal transformation has taken place.
The Gender Transition of a Condemned Inmate
Skylar Deleon, who was sentenced as a male, has since transitioned to a woman, now identifying as Skylar Sophia DeLeon. This is a rare and complex situation within the U.S. penal system, especially for a condemned inmate. Deleon has appeared in court documents and media reports looking increasingly feminine, reflecting this transition.
The transition is a key entity in the current narrative, highlighting the complex legal and human rights issues surrounding transgender inmates in high-security prisons. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) recognizes this status, making the details of Deleon's confinement an ongoing point of interest for legal scholars and true crime followers alike.
The Co-Conspirators and Their Sentences
Deleon was not alone in the murders. The case involved multiple co-conspirators, all of whom faced justice:
- Jennifer Henderson (Deleon): Skylar's wife, convicted of two counts of first-degree murder, and sentenced to two terms of life in prison without parole.
- John Fitzgerald Kennedy: Convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death.
- Alonso Machain: Pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in exchange for his testimony against Deleon and Kennedy, sentenced to 20 years in prison.
The Other 'Power Ranger Killer': Ricardo Medina Jr.
The term 'Power Ranger Killer' is sometimes mistakenly applied to a second actor from the franchise, Ricardo Medina Jr., which adds a layer of confusion and topical authority to the broader narrative. Medina played the Red Ranger, Cole Evans, in Power Rangers Wild Force (2002), and later voiced Deker in Power Rangers Samurai.
Medina's crime was a separate, domestic incident. In 2015, he fatally stabbed his roommate, Josh Sutter, with a sword following an argument over Medina's girlfriend. Unlike Deleon's calculated, financially motivated plot, Medina's crime was one of passion and self-defense, though he later pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter.
In 2017, Ricardo Medina Jr. was sentenced to six years in state prison. He was released in 2020 after serving a portion of his sentence, a drastically different outcome from Deleon's death row sentence. The comparison between the two cases underscores the varying degrees of criminality associated with the dark side of the Power Rangers legacy.
The Legacy and Current Status in December 2025
Skylar Deleon's case remains a permanent fixture in California's true crime history. The sheer callousness of the crime—drowning a couple at sea for their possessions—is a chilling reminder of the lengths to which greed can drive an individual. The son of the victims, Ryan Hawks, has publicly stated his desire to be present if Deleon is ever executed, though he remains skeptical that it will happen given California's moratorium on the death penalty.
As of late 2025, Skylar Sophia DeLeon is one of 580 condemned inmates on California's death row. The legal system moves slowly, and with the state's current political climate regarding capital punishment, it is highly likely that Deleon will spend many more years, if not the rest of her life, incarcerated, continuing the shocking and tragic story of the child actor who became the 'Power Ranger Killer.'
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