The story of John Julius Jacobson Jr., known to the world as Skylar DeLeon, is a chilling narrative of fame, fortune, and a catastrophic fall into crime. Initially recognized for his role in the iconic children’s television series, The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, DeLeon’s life took a dark turn, culminating in a death sentence for a gruesome double murder committed in 2004. This is the unsettling account of how a former child actor became embroiled in heinous acts that led him to death row.
From John Julius Jacobson Jr. to Skylar DeLeon: The Early Years
Born on August 12, 1979, as John Julius Jacobson Jr. in California, United States, the man who would become Skylar DeLeon underwent significant personal transformations, starting with his very name. Prior to marriage and seeking emancipation from his father, he legally changed his name for the first time, alleging abuse in his childhood. The name Skylar DeLeon emerged as he sought a fresh start and fame in Hollywood.
DeLeon’s early career involved appearances in various children’s programs, with his most notable, albeit brief, role being in Power Rangers. However, mainstream success proved elusive. At the age of 20, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, a chapter that was also short-lived. After an unauthorized absence of fifteen days, he received a discharge, marking another turning point in his increasingly unstable life.
In 2002, DeLeon married and started a family, having two children. However, financial stability remained out of reach, and the couple’s mounting money troubles set them on a dangerous path toward criminal activity.
The Yacht Murders at Newport Beach Harbor
Initially engaging in petty robberies of small businesses, Skylar DeLeon and his wife escalated their criminal endeavors dramatically in 2004. They encountered a couple who were selling their yacht, presenting an opportunity that would lead to unspeakable violence. During what was purported to be a test run in Newport Beach Harbor, DeLeon, his wife, and three accomplices launched a brutal attack on the yacht owners.
The unsuspecting couple was overpowered and coerced into signing over the ownership of their vessel. Subsequently, in a horrific act of violence, they were bound, gagged, and callously thrown overboard into the sea. The bodies of the victims were never recovered, leaving behind a haunting mystery in the waters of Newport Beach. Years passed before one of the accomplices confessed to the crime, unraveling the truth and initiating legal proceedings against Skylar and his wife.
Life Imprisonment and Transformation
Following his incarceration, Skylar DeLeon underwent further personal changes, this time concerning gender identity. Adopting the name Skylar Preciosa DeLeon, he began hormone therapy to physically transition and embrace a feminine appearance.
Despite these personal transformations, the legal consequences of his heinous crimes remained unchanged. Skylar DeLeon was sentenced to death by lethal injection. However, due to California’s moratorium on capital punishment, he is currently serving his sentence on death row, with no execution date set. His wife received a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, ensuring that both would face the long-term repercussions of their actions. The trajectory of John Julius Jacobson Jr., from a fleeting moment of fame to a life defined by murder and imprisonment, serves as a stark and cautionary tale.
