Dee Dee Jackson was the former wife of Tito Jackson, one of the founding members of the famous pop music band Jackson 5. She was a fun-loving and outgoing woman who was loved by her family and friends. However, her life came to a tragic end on August 27, 1994, when she was found dead in the pool of her boyfriend’s house. What was initially ruled as an accidental drowning turned out to be a brutal homicide. Here is the story of how Dee Dee Jackson was killed by her boyfriend, Donald Bohana, and how he was brought to justice.
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The Night of the Incident
Dee Dee Jackson and Donald Bohana had been dating for about eight months when she visited his residence in Ladera Heights, a wealthy suburb of Los Angeles, for a late-night dinner on August 26, 1994. According to Bohana, they had drinks and went for a swim in his pool. He claimed that Dee Dee was a good swimmer, but he was not. He said that Dee Dee started to struggle in the water and he tried to save her using pool skimmers, but failed. He then jumped into the pool and managed to pull her out. He attempted to revive her, but she was not breathing. He called 911 at 3:34 AM and reported that someone had drowned in his pool. He did not mention Dee Dee’s name or that she was his girlfriend.
The Suspicious Circumstances
When the paramedics arrived at the scene, they found Dee Dee lying on her back near a tree, several yards away from the pool. She had no heartbeat and her skin was dry and cool. Her long hair was damp, but not wet. She also had bruises on her face and breasts, and scratches on her arms and legs. Bohana was also naked and appeared to be drunk. He told the police that he and Dee Dee had a romantic relationship and that her death was an accident or a suicide. He said that she was depressed over her divorce from Tito Jackson and had a history of drug abuse.
However, the police and the medical examiner found several inconsistencies in Bohana’s story. First of all, Dee Dee’s blood alcohol level was .23, which was three times the legal limit for driving. This meant that she was too intoxicated to swim or even walk properly. Secondly, the bruises and scratches on her body indicated that she had been beaten and strangled before being thrown into the pool. Thirdly, the position of her body near the tree suggested that she had been dragged out of the pool after she was dead. Fourthly, there was no evidence of any struggle or rescue attempt in the pool area. Fifthly, there were no signs of depression or drug abuse in Dee Dee’s personal life. She was a devoted mother to her three sons and had a close relationship with her ex-husband and his family.
The Motive for Murder
The police suspected that Bohana had killed Dee Dee because he wanted to end their relationship or because he had financial problems. They learned that Bohana was a successful businessman who owned several restaurants and nightclubs, but he also had debts and lawsuits against him. He had asked Dee Dee to invest in his businesses or to ask her ex-husband for money, but she refused. He also wanted to marry her, but she was not ready for that.
The police believed that Bohana had invited Dee Dee over for dinner with the intention of killing her. They thought that he had drugged her drink or forced her to drink excessively, then beat and strangled her in his bedroom. They then dragged her body to the pool and threw it in to make it look like an accident or a suicide. He then waited for some time before calling 911 to make sure she was dead.
The Trial and Conviction
Bohana was arrested in 1997 and charged with second-degree murder. His trial began in 1998 and lasted for six weeks. The prosecution presented evidence from the crime scene, the autopsy report, the 911 call recording, and witnesses who testified about Bohana’s character and behavior. They also showed photos of Dee Dee’s injuries and played a video of her sons expressing their grief and anger.
The defense argued that Dee Dee’s death was an accident or a suicide. They said that she had jumped or fallen into the pool while Bohana was asleep or in another room. They said that the bruises and scratches on her body were caused by CPR attempts or by hitting objects in the pool. They also tried to discredit the prosecution’s witnesses by questioning their motives or credibility.
The jury deliberated for four days before finding Bohana guilty of second-degree murder. He was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison. He appealed his conviction several times, but his appeals were denied. He is currently serving his sentence at California State Prison in Corcoran.
The Legacy of Dee Dee Jackson
Dee Dee Jackson’s death was a devastating loss for her family and friends. She was remembered as a loving and caring person who brought joy and happiness to everyone around her. Her ex-husband, Tito Jackson, said that she was his best friend and that they had remained close even after their divorce. He also said that she was a wonderful mother to their sons, who were deeply affected by her death.
Dee Dee’s sons, TJ, Taj, and Taryll, formed a musical group called 3T in honor of their mother. They also established the Dee Dee Jackson Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides emotional support to children who have lost their parents. The foundation organizes camps, workshops, and events to help children cope with their grief and trauma. The foundation also raises awareness and funds for causes that Dee Dee cared about, such as animal welfare, environmental protection, and human rights.
Dee Dee Jackson’s death was a tragic and senseless crime that shocked the world. However, her legacy lives on through her family, her foundation, and her music. She will always be remembered as a beautiful and kind soul who touched many lives.
