Torn Hearts: The Unforgettable Tragedy of Seath Jackson
Torn Hearts: The Unforgettable Tragedy of Seath Jackson
April 2011 marked a tragic chapter in the life of Seath Jackson, a 15-year-old teenager hailing from Ocala, Florida. In a horrifying turn of events, Seath became the target of a merciless murder plot devised by individuals he once considered his peers. Drawn into a web of deceit and betrayal, he was enticed to a mobile home under false pretenses by his ex-girlfriend, Amber Wright. Little did he know, a group of youths lay in wait, launching a vicious and merciless attack that would cut his young life tragically short. The ambush unfolded with chilling brutality, forever shattering the innocence of a promising young soul.
The key individuals involved in this tragic event were Amber Wright, Michael Bargo, Kyle Hooper, Justin Soto, and Charlie Ely. James Havens, the ex-boyfriend of Amber Wright's mother, also played a significant role.
Background
Seath Jackson was born on February 3, 1996, in Belleview, Florida, and attended Belleview High School. He had dreams of becoming a UFC fighter.
Seath Jackson began dating Amber Wright, but their relationship ended bitterly in March 2011 when Jackson suspected Wright of cheating on him with Michael Bargo. Bargo, on the other hand, harbored a deep hatred for Jackson, erroneously believing that Jackson had abused Wright.
The Plot and Murder
Seath Jackson's relationship with Amber Wright ended in March 2011 after he suspected her of cheating on him with 18-year-old Michael Bargo.
The aftermath of the breakup involved toxic behavior and social media fights, and a deep-seated hatred developed between Jackson and Bargo. In fact, Bargo was once overheard threatening Jackson, stating, "I have a bullet with your name on it".
Tensions escalated between the two boys, and in early April 2011, Bargo and his friend Kyle Hooper, 16, attempted to scare off Jackson and his friend by firing a gunshot at them during a fight at the home of their mutual acquaintance, Charlie Ely. On April 17, 2011, Bargo told Hooper that he needed to kill Jackson, and they began planning the murder along with Amber Wright, Justin Soto, 20, and Charlie Ely, 18.
The plan involved Wright luring Jackson to Ely’s home under the pretense of wanting to "work things out." Once Jackson arrived, he was ambushed by the group, with Bargo shooting him.
Despite being hurt, Jackson managed to escape outside, but was tackled by Soto, beaten, and shot again by Bargo. The attackers then carried Jackson back into the house, where he was shot multiple times by Bargo, including a final, fatal shot to the face.
Bargo and Soto then wrapped Jackson's lifeless body in a sleeping bag and threw it into a burning fire pit. Following this, the remains were collected into paint buckets and disposed of in a remote, water-filled rock quarry.
This gruesome crime was not kept a secret for long. Hooper confessed to his mother on the day of the murder after seeing a news report of Jackson's disappearance.
The rest of the group was soon arrested and charged. Bargo had fled town after the murder but was later arrested. Search warrants led investigators to discover the murder weapon and ammunition concealed at Ely’s trailer, as well as burnt human remains in the fire pit and the buckets containing Jackson's remains in the quarry.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Prosecutors tried each of the participants in Jackson's murder separately as adults. DNA evidence and the testimonies of the defendants led to their conviction. All defendants, except for Havens, were sentenced to life in prison.
Havens pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact and was sentenced in 2018. Michael Bargo was sentenced to death and became Florida's youngest inmate on death row. After an appeal, Bargo was resentenced, and a jury unanimously recommended the death sentence.
Recent Updates
As of 2023, Michael Bargo is an inmate at Union Correctional Institution. His appeal, in which he argued that the judge had not appropriately considered mitigating factors related to his mental conditions, was rejected by the Florida Supreme Court. Bargo's death sentence was upheld, and he remains on death row.