Delores Martes Jackson, also known as Dee Dee Jackson, was the ex-wife of Tito Jackson, a member of the famous Jackson 5. She was a socialite and a devoted mother of three sons, who formed a musical group called 3T. She died on August 27, 1994, at the age of 39, in a pool at the home of her boyfriend, Donald Bohana. Her death was initially ruled as an accident, but later determined to be a murder. What happened to Delores Martes Jackson and who killed her?
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A Love Story Gone Wrong
Dee Dee Jackson met Tito Jackson at Fairfax High School when she was 16 years old. They married right out of school in 1972 and became part of the whirlwind of fame surrounding the Jackson 5. Dee Dee was treated like a sister by the other members of the family and everyone loved her. She stayed out of the limelight and enjoyed simply raising her sons and making their home as normal as possible.
However, their marriage ended in 1993 after 21 years. They remained friends and co-parents to their sons. Months later, Dee started dating Donald Bohana, a 59-year-old businessman who owned a restaurant and a hospital supply company. They had dated for eight weeks before her death.
A Mysterious Drowning or a Brutal Murder?
On August 27, 1994, Bohana called 911 at 3 a.m. to report that someone drowned in his pool. First responders found Dee Dee’s body up against a tree in the pool area. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Bohana claimed that he and Dee Dee had had drinks and gone for a dip in the pool. He said that Dee Dee was a good swimmer, but he was not. He said that Dee Dee was swimming alone and began to struggle. He said that he tried to save her with pool skimmers, but failed. He then jumped in the pool and lifted her out of the water. He tried to revive her, but failed.
The police initially believed Bohana’s story and ruled Dee Dee’s death as an accident. However, the Jackson family did not buy it. They said that Dee Dee was terrified of water and would never go swimming in the dark. They also noticed bruises and scratches on her face and body that suggested foul play.
The family hired a private investigator and a pathologist to look into Dee Dee’s death. They found evidence that contradicted Bohana’s version of events. For example, they found that Dee Dee had water in her lungs, which meant that she was alive when she entered the water. They also found that she had injuries consistent with being beaten and choked before drowning.
The family pressured the authorities to reopen the case and charge Bohana with murder. In November 1998, after four years of fighting for justice, Bohana was arrested and tried for second-degree murder.
A Conviction and a Sentence
During the trial, the prosecution argued that Bohana killed Dee Dee because he wanted her to ask the Jackson family for money to bail him out of his financial troubles. They said that he lured her into the pool, assaulted her, and drowned her. They presented forensic evidence and expert testimony to support their theory.
The defense claimed that Dee Dee’s death was an accident or a suicide. They said that she was depressed over her divorce and had a history of drug abuse. They said that she either jumped or fell into the pool and drowned while Bohana tried to save her.
The jury deliberated for four days before finding Bohana guilty of second-degree murder. He was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.
A Legacy of Love and Music
Dee Dee Jackson’s death left a huge void in the lives of her family and friends. Her sons were devastated by the loss of their mother and struggled to cope with their grief. They dedicated their music career to her memory and continued to honor her legacy through their foundation, The Dee Dee Jackson Foundation, which provides music therapy to children who have experienced trauma.
Dee Dee Jackson is remembered as a loving mother, a loyal friend, and a beautiful soul who touched many hearts with her kindness and generosity. Her tragic end is a reminder of the horrors of domestic violence and the need for justice for its victims.
