Town note
Founded in the 1950s as a planned community centred around the Tequesta Country Club.
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FILE 634 / 26 September 2025 / 76 MIN / express
this is in Tequesta, Florida about 0:03:35
Founded in the 1950s as a planned community centred around the Tequesta Country Club.
about 0:04:43Named after the Tequesta people who originally inhabited the area.
about 0:05:01The village of Tequesta was incorporated in 1970, or 1957, by a real estate developer.
about 0:05:12The developer bought 86 acres known as Jupiter Inlet Colony, created Waterway Village and finished the country club and 600 home sites.
about 0:05:20Founded in the 1950s as a planned community centred around the Tequesta Country Club.
about 0:04:43Named after the Tequesta people who originally inhabited the area.
about 0:05:01The village of Tequesta was incorporated in 1970, or 1957, by a real estate developer.
about 0:05:12The developer bought 86 acres known as Jupiter Inlet Colony, created Waterway Village and finished the country club and 600 home sites.
about 0:05:20"6,097"
No direction stated.
As told in 2025 about 0:04:13
"$89,018"
Comparison: "about $20,000 over the national average". Direction: above.
As told in 2025 about 0:04:21
"$596,000"
Comparison: "almost double the national average". Direction: above.
As told in 2025 about 0:04:28
4.0 / 5 · average of 4
“A suburb of world-famous Palm Beach; walkable, bikeable, upscale yet down to earth and pet friendly, between ocean beaches, the river inlet and the historic lighthouse, with five golf courses within a five mile radius and half an hour from Palm Beach International Airport.”about 0:05:40
“Nothing really ever happens here.”about 0:06:42
“Lots of tourism all year round, but not many events going on in the town.”about 0:06:49
“Not too much; could use a few more street lights, and more drugs coming into the neighbourhood along with car break-ins in the past month.”about 0:07:26
In August 2016, John Joseph Stevens III and his wife Michelle were recent retirees who had moved to Tequesta, Florida, to enjoy their fifties. John was born on July 2, 1957, and was 59; Michelle, born Mara Michelle Karen Mishkin on March 14, 1963, was 53. The couple lived at Southeast Kokomo Lane, in a neighbourhood where residents kept their garage doors open and gathered to drink; they called their converted garage the Garage Mahal.
In the summer of 2016 his behaviour became overtly psychotic. He moved his bed into the garage of his family home because he believed demons, particularly one called Daniel, haunted the house. He claimed superpowers, patrolled the house at night, searched online about demonic possession and how to contact Oprah Winfrey for help, and said he was half horse and half immortal. On August 14, 2016, his father took him to a gun show and bought him a switchblade. That day, or the next, he asked a friend what year he had been born, threatened to kill anyone who called him crazy, and at the beach announced he was half horse and half immortal.
That evening the family went to Duffy's restaurant. His mother called 911 to report that he was acting strangely and believed he was immortal. Between about 6.20 and 9 p.m. he walked roughly four miles, stripping off all his clothes except his boxers.
At about 9.10 p.m. a neighbour, Jeffrey Michael Fisher, called 911 from Southeast Kokomo Lane to report a young man beating a woman across the street. Ten minutes later he called again to say he had been stabbed. Deputy Grace Zopf drew her gun and ordered him off; he kept biting. Michelle Stevens was found in the garage without a pulse. John Stevens died of multiple injuries and Michelle of blunt-force trauma; Fisher survived multiple stab wounds, a deep cut to the head, a puncture wound to his back that needed exploratory stomach surgery, and a broken thumb.
Tests found no drugs and barely a trace of THC in his system. He gave an interview from his hospital bed to Dr Phil in which he apologised without tears, spoke of a tall pale figure following him, said Michelle Stevens was a witch who would harm him, and said he remembered little of the attack.
The case was delayed by COVID-19 into 2020. The state's expert found that he met the criteria for legal insanity and recommended involuntary commitment. At the hearing the victims' daughter read out his texts and messages and said "white rich boy justice". He remains committed.
August 2016 / the garage and driveway of their home, Tequesta, Florida
As told in the episode, on 26 September 2025.
Accused
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crime scene
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