By Tori Richards
September 12, 2006
SANTA ANA, Calif. (Crime Library) — It started harmless enough. Logging onto an Internet chat room and striking up a conversation that led to romance.
Skylar Deleon, a one-time child actor with a passive, effeminate personality and Jennifer Henderson, a no-nonsense hairstylist who liked calling the shots.
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Jennifer (Henderson) Deleon |
Several years ago Deleon, 27, and Henderson, 25, got married, creating a union that has been characterized as the Bonnie and Clyde of Orange County, thanks to the three dead bodies allegedly left in their wake. And "it's possible that even more victims exist that law enforcement hasn't discovered," said Newport Beach police Sgt. Dave Byington, who has been investigating the pair since late 2004 when Thomas and Jackie Hawks went missing.
The Deleons and three friends have been charged with capital murder for throwing the Hawkses overboard tied to their yacht's anchor in order to steal the vessel. While investigating that case, Byington discovered that a year earlier Skylar Deleon allegedly stole more than $50,000 from an acquaintance and then murdered him in Mexico. Jennifer Deleon is accused of helping cover up the crime. Trial for these killings is set for January.
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The Hawks |
"They have zero remorse, they are just upset that they got caught, that's all," said Orange County Deputy District Attorney Matt Murphy, who is prosecuting the case.
Other law enforcement officials familiar with the case say the pair is among the most heartless killers they've ever seen.
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