Who was Mike Miske Jr’s son Caleb and how did he die?
CALEB was the only son of notorious Hawaiian crime boss Michael J. Miske Jr.
The tragic death of Caleb played a pivotal role in events ultimately leading to his father’s imprisonment and death behind bars.
Michael J. Miske Jr, 50, was discovered dead in the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu on December 1, 2024, with sources indicating he took his own life.
After being convicted of 13 federal counts, he was due to be sentenced in the new year of 2025.
He was found guilty of orchestrating the 2016 killing of Johnathan Fraser — the best friend of his son Caleb-Jordan Miske-Lee.
Miske was motivated by retribution for what prosecutors said was the crime boss’ mistaken belief that Fraser was the driver in a car crash that killed Caleb.
While Police are probing the crime boss’ death as a suicide, it is not currently known whether he was on suicide watch at the time of his death.
Kidnapping & murder
In November 2015, Fraser, 21, survived the car crash, but months later 22-year-old Caleb died of his injuries.
A federal motion to hold Miske without bail reads: “Nothing demonstrates Miske’s penchant for violence more than his meticulously planned and premeditated abduction, kidnapping and murder of Johnathan Fraser in July 2016.”
Fraser vanished without a trace in July 2016 — his remains have still not been found more than eight years later — and is believed to have died around July 30, 2016.
Miske was found guilty of a whole host of charges, including kidnapping and murder for hire, According to the US Attorney’s Office.
Caleb’s background
Like his best friend Jonathan, Caleb was passionate about cars and illegal street racing.
Both of them regularly boasted about being involved with Team Mad Dog on social media.
Caleb also had a love for dogs, particularly pit bulls, which he also shared with his buddy Jonathan.
He was described by those who knew him as a laid-back, nice kid who smoked marijuana, per CivilBeat.
Fatal accident
On November 17, 2015, Caleb was involved in a motor collision that would ultimately claim his life.
The incident occurred on Kaneohe Bay Drive, near the Windward City Shopping Center.
Caleb was driving a black 1993 two-door Honda Civic sedan, which he had purchased for $2,250 just two days earlier.
On the evening of the accident, Caleb invited his best friend Johnathan to take a ride with him and test out his new car.
As they approached the shopping center, witnesses reported hearing the engine revving loudly.
The Honda was estimated to be traveling at 93 miles per hour, nearly triple the legal speed limit.
At the Makalani Street intersection, a white 1998 Chevy S10 pickup truck turned left in front of their speeding vehicle.
The Honda collided with the truck’s right front side, causing both vehicles to spin out of control.
Aftermath
The collision left both Caleb and Johnathan critically injured.
Mike Miske charges
HAWAII crime boss Mike Miske was charged and convicted over a plot that saw his son's friend kidnapped and killed. The charges are outlined in full:
- Racketeering Conspiracy
- Murder in aid of racketeering
- Conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering
- Kidnapping resulting in death
- Conspiracy to commit kidnapping
- Murder-for-hire conspiracy
- Conspiracy to commit assaults in aid of racketeering
- Conspiracy to commit kidnapping
- Conspiracy to use a chemical weapon
- Use of a chemical weapon
- Use of a chemical weapon
- Obstruction of Justice
- Obstruction of Justice
But while Fraser was quickly extracted from the wreckage and transported to The Queen’s Hospital, Caleb remained trapped in the car.
Firefighters had to use the jaws of life hydraulic rescue tool to free him from the mangled Honda.
Caleb’s injuries were severe and he fought for his life for four months under intense medical treatment.
Tragically, he succumbed to his injuries in early March 2016.
Tragic consequences
In the aftermath of Caleb’s death, his crime boss dad mistakenly believed that Johnathan had been driving the car at the time of the crash.
This fabricated contention persisted despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, including:
- Police reports
- Observations from police officers, emergency medical technicians and firefighters
- Statements from witnesses at the scene, some of whom had spoken to Caleb while he was trapped behind the wheel
Miske’s grief and misplaced desire for revenge, fueled by this mistaken belief, set in motion a chain of events that would ultimately lead to his own downfall.
Prosecutors found Miske guilty for orchestrating the disappearance and murder of Johnathan Fraser in July 2016, approximately four months after Caleb’s death.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.