Father Drops 5-Year-Old Daughter from 60-Foot Florida Bridge, Claiming Voices Told Him to ‘Save Her’
(Image: Law&Crime Network/Youtube)
John Jonchuck, 34, was sentenced to life in prison in April 2019 for the horrific murder of his five-year-old daughter, Phoebe, whom he threw off a 60-foot bridge in Florida in January 2015. Jonchuck’s defense team argued that he was legally insane at the time of the crime, but jurors rejected the insanity plea, finding him guilty of first-degree murder after a 21-day trial.
On January 8, 2015, Jonchuck was driving at high speed toward the Dick Mesiner Skyway Bridge in Tampa, with a police officer trailing him without lights. When Jonchuck parked his car on the bridge, the officer ordered him to get back in his vehicle and show his hands. Instead, Jonchuck responded, “You have no free will,” before walking to the edge of the bridge and dropping Phoebe over the guardrail.
An autopsy later revealed that Phoebe survived the fall but tragically died from hypothermia after falling into the cold river below. During his trial, it was revealed that Jonchuck had claimed to hear voices instructing him to kill his daughter, believing it was the only way to save her, told Law&Crime.
Jonchuck’s mother, Mickey Jonchuck, testified that her son had become obsessed with the Bible, spreading salt around doorways to ward off evil spirits. The court also heard that Jonchuck had told his stepmother that Phoebe was a demon. In a chilling first interview with detectives, Jonchuck declared, “My name is God and you shall address me as such.”
During psychiatric evaluations, Jonchuck explained that he believed if both he and Phoebe didn’t die, “everybody was going to go to hell.” He described having nightmares about his daughter and expressed guilt over not being able to “wake her up.” Despite his delusions, Jonchuck insisted he had been “a really good father,” adding, “I always promised her that I’m not going to let anything happen, and I did.”
Jonchuck, who had struggled with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, had reportedly not been taking his medication at the time of the crime. His mother confirmed to police that his mental health had been deteriorating.
When Jonchuck was sentenced to life in prison, none of his family members were present in court. Prosecutor Bernie McCabe, reflecting on the verdict, stated, “I am satisfied that justice was done. My immediate reaction is killing children doesn’t make one a very sympathetic character.”
