Jackqueline Meade, a 48-year-old African American woman from Jacksonville, North Carolina, tragically lost her life on March 27, 2020. The circumstances surrounding her death were deeply distressing, as it was later revealed to be a part of a triple homicide. On the morning of March 27, 2020, Onslow County Sheriff's deputies responded to a call regarding an abandoned SUV in Burlington, North Carolina. The vehicle was registered to 1020 Birchwood Lane, Jacksonville, NC.
Upon arriving at the residence, deputies discovered the bodies of Geraldine Hawks, 60, and Emmitt Jordan Hawks, 71, both of whom had been shot to death. Further investigation led deputies to the neighboring house at 1018 Birchwood Lane, where they found the body of Jackqueline Meade, who had also been fatally shot.
The investigation quickly identified the suspect as Jordan Tyshon Meade, the 20-year-old son of Jackqueline Meade and grandson of Geraldine and Emmitt Hawks. Jordan Meade was apprehended in a grocery store in Burlington, North Carolina, following a statewide search. He was charged with three counts of first-degree murder, larceny of a motor vehicle, larceny of a firearm, and possession of a stolen firearm. Jordan Meade's motives for the killings remain unclear, but during his police interview, he mentioned feeling disrespected by his family, which he perceived as a sign of disloyalty. He also claimed to be a member of the Insane Gangster Disciples .
In September 2023, Jordan Meade pleaded guilty to all charges related to the triple homicide. He was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, along with additional sentences for larceny and tampering with a fire extinguisher system while in jail. The court proceedings revealed that Jordan Meade had a history of mental health issues, including ADHD, Autism, Bipolar disorder, and Schizophrenia. His defense attorney argued that his mental health problems should be taken into account when determining his housing in prison. Despite the tragic nature of the case, the guilty plea provided some closure for the family and friends of the victims.
