Saturday, July 30, was the sixth anniversary of Johnathan Fraser’s kidnapping and murder, allegedly ordered by accused gang leader Michael Miske. The trial of Miske, his half-brother John Stancil, and six other remaining co-defendants is scheduled to begin in April 2023. Five of the original Miske defendants have already pleaded guilty and are cooperating with prosecutors, along with at least eight others charged separately who have also entered into plea agreements.

According to the federal indictment, prosecutors believe Miske mistakenly blamed Fraser for the death of 22-year old Caleb Miske, the elder Miske’s only child. Caleb died in March 2016 as a result of injuries sustained in a high-speed crash in Kaneohe the week before Thanksgiving 2015.

Prosecutors allege Miske had offered a substantial amount of cash to have Fraser killed, and planning was facilitated by one of his closest associates, who bought a used van from Craigslist that was allegedly used in the kidnapping. Prosecutors allege Miske purchased a $450,000 Boston Whaler just the month before Fraser disappeared, which was used to dispose of Fraser’s remains at sea.

Miske faces six separate charges relating to Fraser’s disappearance and murder–conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, murder in aid of racketeering, murder for hire conspiracy, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, and kidnapping resulting in death.

Sixteen additional charges against Miske and his codefendants range from drug trafficking, assault and attempted murder to conspiracy to use a chemical weapon, weapons offenses, and bank fraud.

Fraser and Caleb had been best friends. They had lived together, with their girlfriends, on and off. They shared their love of their dogs, and street racing, hanging out at the beach, smoking weed. On the evening of November 17, 2015, they were with a group hanging out at Windward City Shopping Center when the two young men set out to take Caleb’s new wheels for a drive to see what the car could do. The car, which Caleb referred to as “my new toy,” was a black 1993 2-door Honda Civic sedan, purchased just two days previously for $2,500.

So they took off, Caleb behind the wheel, and headed towards Kailua on Kaneohe Bay Drive, did a loop at the far end, and returned. As they neared the corner of Makalani Street, just behind the shopping center, they were flying into the intersection at about 93 mph, according to a Honolulu Police Department accident reconstruction, and hit a white Chevy S10 pickup truck that was coming in the opposite direction and turned left at the traffic lights.

The Honda was demolished. Caleb was trapped in the driver’s seat and had to be cut out of the wreckage. Both Caleb and Johnny were taken to Queen’s Hospital in critical condition. Caleb died without leaving the hospital.

Johnny Fraser recovered. At the time of his disappearance, he was living with his girlfriend in a 2-bedroom condominium unit on Keokeo Place in Hawaii Kai, which they shared with Delia Fabro Miske, Caleb’s widow. Fraser reportedly told family members Miske was paying for the apartment.

On July 30, 2016, Delia Miske and Fraser’s girlfriend left for a special “spa day,” leaving Fraser alone. Although Fraser had a phone, he was unable to afford a phone plan and instead used the phone while connected to wifi in the apartment. After his disappearance, it was determined the cable into the unit had been disconnected, leaving him with phone or text messaging. He disappeared without a trace. His car was found nearby several days later.

In 2018, two years prior to the grand jury indictment of Miske and others, the FBI offered a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for Fraser’s disappearance. It is not known whether the reward has been paid out.

Jonathan Fraser with his mother.