Life Sentences And A Shocking 2024 Appeal: The Full Story Behind XXXTentacion's Death

The tragic death of Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy, known globally as XXXTentacion, remains one of the most polarizing and scrutinized events in modern hip-hop history. On June 18, 2018, the 20-year-old rapper was fatally shot in an armed robbery, an untimely end that cemented his status as a controversial cultural icon whose music—and complicated past—continues to generate immense discussion.

As of December 2025, the legal saga surrounding his murder has reached a definitive, though not entirely final, conclusion with three men receiving life sentences. However, the case was thrust back into the spotlight with a shocking 2024 appeal that introduced a sensational, high-profile new entity into the narrative, reigniting public curiosity about the final moments of the Florida native's life and the justice served.

The Full Biography: Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy (XXXTentacion)

XXXTentacion was a figure of intense duality, celebrated by millions for his raw, genre-bending music, yet condemned for a documented history of violence and legal issues. His short life was a whirlwind of artistic expression and deeply personal turmoil.

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• Full Name: Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy
• Stage Name: XXXTentacion (often stylized as X)
• Born: January 23, 1998, in Plantation, Florida
• Died: June 18, 2018, in Deerfield Beach, Florida (Age 20)
• Occupation: Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, Musician
• Genres: Emo Rap, Trap, R&B, Rock, Nu Metal
• Notable Works: Albums 17, ? (Question Mark), and the posthumous Skins and Bad Vibes Forever. Hit singles include "Look at Me!", "Jocelyn Flores," and "Sad!"
• Controversy: A major part of his public profile included numerous arrests and charges, most notably for aggravated battery of a pregnant victim, domestic violence, and false imprisonment.

His rapid rise to fame was fueled by SoundCloud, where his unique blend of melancholy lyrics, raw emotion, and aggressive delivery resonated deeply with a young audience struggling with mental health issues, making him a reluctant spokesperson for a generation.

The Fateful Day: Armed Robbery and the 2018 Tragedy

The murder of XXXTentacion was a calculated, brazen act of armed robbery that occurred in broad daylight.

On the afternoon of June 18, 2018, Onfroy was driving his black BMW i8 and made a stop at the RIVA Motorsports motorcycle dealership in Deerfield Beach, Broward County, Florida.

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As he was leaving the dealership, his vehicle was blocked by a dark-colored SUV. Two armed men exited the SUV and approached the rapper’s car.

A brief struggle ensued, during which the men stole a Louis Vuitton bag containing $50,000 in cash that Onfroy had just withdrawn from a bank.

One of the assailants, later identified as Michael Boatwright, shot Onfroy multiple times before fleeing the scene with the cash.

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The rapper was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after the incident. The Broward County Sheriff’s Office quickly launched a massive manhunt, leading to the eventual arrest of four suspects in the following weeks and months.

The Final Verdict and Shocking 2024/2025 Appeal Update

The murder trial was a long and complex process that captivated the public, finally concluding with a definitive ruling that brought a degree of closure to the case.

Convictions and Life Sentences (2023)

In March 2023, after a month-long trial, a Florida jury found three men guilty of first-degree murder and armed robbery in connection with the rapper's death.

The three main defendants were:

• Michael Boatwright: Identified as the shooter.
• Trayvon Newsome: Identified as an armed participant.
• Dedrick Williams: Identified as the getaway driver and the one who allegedly planned the robbery.

In April 2023, all three men—Boatwright, Newsome, and Williams—were officially sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

A fourth man, Robert Allen, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and testified against the other three men. Due to his cooperation, Allen received a significantly lighter sentence of two more years in state prison, followed by 20 years of probation.

The Sensational 2024 Appeal Implicating Drake

Despite the finality of the life sentences, the case generated fresh headlines in late 2024 when one of the convicted men, Dedrick Williams, filed an appeal brief that introduced a sensational new claim.

In his appeal, Williams attempted to implicate fellow rapper Drake in the murder, suggesting that the well-known feud between Drake and XXXTentacion was a factor in the crime.

The appeal cited an old Instagram post by Drake, which Williams’s defense team argued could be interpreted as a threat or a connection to the murder, though they presented no concrete evidence to support this claim.

Legal experts widely dismissed the appeal's claim as a desperate, last-ditch effort to overturn a conviction based on overwhelming evidence, including surveillance footage and testimony. However, the sheer mention of Drake’s name ensured the case dominated pop culture headlines once again, highlighting the persistent, dark curiosity surrounding the rapper's demise.

The Complicated Legacy: Music, Impact, and Controversy After Death

XXXTentacion’s death did not diminish his cultural footprint; in many ways, it amplified it. His legacy is a complex tapestry woven with threads of artistic genius, mental health advocacy, and profound personal controversy.

Posthumous Success and Continued Influence

Following his death, XXXTentacion's music experienced a massive surge in popularity. His single "Sad!" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, making him the first lead artist to top the chart posthumously since The Notorious B.I.G. in 1997.

Two posthumous albums, Skins (2018) and Bad Vibes Forever (2019), were released, along with numerous singles and collaborations, demonstrating the extensive amount of unreleased material he had recorded.

His ability to blend the raw emotionality of emo music with the aggression of trap created a subgenre that deeply influenced a new wave of artists, including Lil Peep, Juice WRLD, and others in the "SoundCloud Rap" scene.

The Unavoidable Controversy

Any discussion of XXXTentacion’s legacy is incomplete without acknowledging the serious allegations of abuse that plagued his career.

The charges of domestic violence and battery against his pregnant ex-girlfriend, Geneva Ayala, were a central point of public debate.

For many, the music and the message of mental health could not be separated from the actions, leading to a fierce debate over whether to separate the art from the artist. His death, while tragic, did not erase the trauma he inflicted, leaving behind a conflicted legacy that continues to challenge fans and critics alike.

Documentaries and Media Scrutiny

The enduring interest in his life led to several documentary projects, including the Hulu documentary Look at Me: XXXTentacion, which explores his rise, his controversies, and his death.

Newer documentary series, such as XXXTentacion – The Real CSI: Miami (2024), continue to analyze the crime scene and the investigation, ensuring the details of his murder remain a topic of current discussion, cementing his status as a permanent, albeit complex, figure in pop culture history.

Conclusion

The murder of XXXTentacion in 2018 closed the book on a life that was as brief as it was tumultuous. While the 2023 life sentences for Michael Boatwright, Trayvon Newsome, and Dedrick Williams provided legal closure for the crime, the 2024 appeal involving Drake proved that the narrative around the rapper is far from settled.

His music continues to stream in the billions, his influence is undeniable, and his story—a cautionary tale of talent, trauma, and violence—serves as a stark reminder of the complex realities that often underpin modern stardom. The world may have moved on from the trial, but the complicated legacy of Jahseh Onfroy will continue to be debated for years to come.