Makeva Jenkins Targeted and Murdered in Palm Beach Florida

Makeva Jenkins was a determined woman with a story that inspired thousands. Born in 1984, she grew up facing challenges that many would have seen as insurmountable. At one point, she and her family had lived in homeless shelters, struggling to make ends meet and to carve out a better future. Those early struggles shaped her into someone who was resourceful, motivated, and resilient. She dreamed of turning hardship into triumph, both for herself and as an example to others facing similar odds.

As she matured, Makeva embraced entrepreneurship. She believed that through hard work, self-education, and the right mindset, she could create opportunities not only for herself but for other women and small business owners who wanted to break free from cycles of poverty. She began coaching, mentoring, and writing about success strategies, sharing her journey on social media with a voice that resonated deeply with those who followed her.

A Rising Entrepreneur

By her early thirties, Makeva’s hard work appeared to be paying off. She described herself as running a business that had grown from struggling beginnings into multiple high six-figure revenues. She was proud of her journey and often posted motivational messages online. Her social media presence showcased her dedication to empowering women, providing guidance on business development, and motivating others to push past obstacles. Makeva was well on her way to becoming a millionaire.

She often talked about the importance of family, especially her three children, who were the center of her life. For Makeva, success was never just about money—it was about building a stable and meaningful legacy for her children and showing them what perseverance could achieve.

The Facebook Post That Captured Attention

On the evening of June 28, 2017, Makeva made a Facebook post that would later take on a haunting significance. In it, she reflected on her journey from homelessness to financial stability, emphasizing how far she had come. She proudly noted that she had once been at the bottom, struggling with nothing, but had worked hard to rise to a place where she was leading a thriving business.

The post quickly spread across her network, drawing comments of admiration and congratulations. For her followers, it was yet another example of her inspirational spirit. But within hours, tragedy struck, and the post would become a grim backdrop to her untimely death.

The Night of the Murder

In the early morning hours of June 29, 2017, at approximately 2:00 a.m., a masked intruder entered the Jenkins family home in the Lantana/Lake Worth area of Palm Beach County, Florida. Inside were Makeva, her husband Euri Jenkins, their children, and other relatives. The intruder confronted the family and, according to later testimony, singled out Makeva.

She was shot in the head at close range. Emergency responders rushed her to the hospital, but despite efforts to save her, she succumbed to the wound. She was just 33 years old. The brutality of the act, combined with the timing of her celebratory Facebook post, shocked the local community and quickly drew national headlines.

The Immediate Investigation

At first, investigators were faced with a confusing situation. Reports indicated that the shooter had entered wearing a mask and had fled the scene shortly afterward, abandoning the vehicle used to escape nearby. Rumors swirled about whether the crime was random, a robbery gone wrong, or something more sinister.

Friends and neighbors described Makeva as kind, driven, and deeply family-oriented, making it difficult to imagine why anyone would want to harm her. However, detectives soon began looking closer at those in her inner circle, particularly when some inconsistencies arose in the initial accounts.

Arrests and Emerging Motives

The case broke open when authorities arrested Joevan Joseph, a 19-year-old, several months after the murder. He was accused of being the gunman who carried out the shooting. Under questioning and in subsequent legal proceedings, Joseph revealed that he had not acted alone. He alleged that he had been recruited for the crime by another man named Dametri Dale, who in turn was working with someone much closer to Makeva: her husband, Euri Jenkins.

Investigators uncovered a chilling motive. Prosecutors would later argue that Euri Jenkins had arranged for his wife’s murder in order to collect on life insurance policies. The portrait that emerged was one of betrayal and greed, where financial gain was valued over the life of a devoted mother and entrepreneur.

Legal Proceedings Begin

As the legal process unfolded, each of the three men faced different charges and outcomes.

• Joevan Joseph, the triggerman, eventually pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in July 2019. In exchange for his cooperation, including testifying against Euri Jenkins, he avoided a first-degree murder conviction but still faced significant prison time.
• Dametri Dale, who acted as the go-between, was later indicted and reached a plea agreement. He admitted his role in facilitating the murder plot but did not pull the trigger. His sentence included a short jail term followed by many years of probation and monitoring, reflecting his cooperation and lesser role compared to the others.
• Euri Jenkins, Makeva’s husband, was charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy. His trial was one of the most closely followed in Palm Beach County. Prosecutors argued that he had lured his wife into a false sense of safety while orchestrating her death, motivated by life insurance proceeds. Testimony from Joseph and Dale, combined with forensic evidence, convinced the jury of his guilt.

Trial and Conviction

In May 2022, after years of legal maneuvering, the trial of Euri Jenkins concluded. The jury found him guilty of first-degree murder. The conviction carried a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. For the family of Makeva, the verdict was a bittersweet moment. Justice had been served in a legal sense, but it could not restore the life that had been taken so violently.

Prosecutors highlighted the betrayal at the heart of the case. A husband, entrusted with protecting and caring for his wife and children, had instead conspired to eliminate her for financial gain. The defense tried to cast doubt on the testimony of Joseph and Dale, but the jury was not persuaded.

Appeals and Aftermath

Euri Jenkins appealed his conviction, but in December 2023, the appellate court upheld the jury’s verdict and his life sentence. This closed one of the final chapters of the legal case, ensuring that he would spend the rest of his life behind bars.

For the Jenkins children and extended family, however, the aftermath was long and painful. They were left to process the loss of a mother and the betrayal of a father in the same tragedy. The story also struck a chord far beyond Palm Beach, as people across the country reflected on the danger of hidden motives and the fragility of life, even for those who appear to be on the rise.

Legacy of Makeva Jenkins

Despite the darkness of her death, many continue to celebrate the light of Makeva’s life. Friends, clients, and admirers recall her as someone who encouraged others to reach their potential. Her story of moving from homelessness to financial security continues to circulate online, serving as a motivational reminder of what persistence can achieve.

Community members have also used her memory as a platform to speak about domestic betrayal, financial manipulation, and the importance of looking beyond appearances. Though she was silenced in a brutal act of violence, her voice lives on through those she inspired and through the cautionary lessons her case teaches.

Conclusion

The murder of Makeva Jenkins was not just a crime of violence but a devastating act of betrayal. It took from the world a woman who had turned her struggles into hope and inspiration for others. On the night of June 29, 2017, in her own Palm Beach County home, that hope was stolen by those she should have been able to trust most.

Her story endures as both a testament to resilience and a reminder of the darkness that can sometimes hide in plain sight. While justice was eventually served through the courts, the tragedy of her death remains etched in the memories of those who knew and admired her.