The murder of XXXTentacion, born Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy, remains one of hip-hop’s most shocking incidents. The 20-year-old rapper was killed during a robbery outside a Florida motorcycle dealership in June 2018, leaving behind a complex legacy that continues to spark discussions among fans and critics alike.
According to People, before his death, XXXTentacion had started making waves in the music industry. His debut album 17 reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200 in 2017, while his second album ? topped the charts in 2018. He first gained recognition as a founding member of the underground hip-hop group Members Only.
In a video clip that resurfaced after his death, XXXTentacion shared what would become his final message to fans: “Do not let your depression make you. Do not let your body define your soul, let your soul find your body. Your mind is limitless. You are worth more than you can believe.” He added that he wanted kids to understand his message and make something of themselves, even if he couldn’t see his dreams through.
How the robbery turned fatal
On that fateful day of June 18, 2018, XXXTentacion had withdrawn $50,000 from a Bank of America branch. He had originally planned to take out $250,000, but the bank didn’t have enough cash. Later that day, two armed men blocked his car outside the motorcycle dealership in Deerfield Beach, Florida, attempting to steal his Louis Vuitton bag containing the money.
The robbery quickly turned deadly when one of the attackers shot the rapper multiple times. XXXTentacion was pronounced dead at a local hospital an hour later. Four men were later charged with the murder: Dedrick Williams, Michael Boatwright, Trayvon Newsome, and Robert Allen.
The legal process concluded in April 2023, with Boatwright, Newsome, and Williams receiving life sentences without parole. Allen, who had accepted a plea deal and testified against the others, got seven years in prison with credit for time served and was released in November 2023.
At the time of his death, XXXTentacion was dealing with serious legal troubles of his own, including multiple felony charges related to alleged assault of a pregnant woman. His attorney, J. David Bogenschutz, told PEOPLE that the rapper had been working to resolve these charges and had shown perfect behavior in the eight months before his death. After his passing, it was revealed that his girlfriend Jenesis Sanchez was pregnant. Their son, Gekyume Onfroy, was born on January 26, 2019, carrying a name that XXXTentacion had chosen himself, meaning “a different state” or “next universe of thought.”
Published: Jun 19, 2025 06:55 am