Who killed Jon Hickey? ‘Dateline NBC’ uncovers firefighter who got shot by girlfriend’s obsessed ex lover
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND: Daniel Greene was found guilty of killing Jon Hickey, a 30 year old firefighter from Baltimore. The crime unfolded when Greene broke into Hickey's apartment, armed with a gun. Surveillance footage revealed Greene entering through a window and later leaving through the back door. The investigators discovered Jon's lifeless body on the couch, fatally shot in the head.
Greene's motives and actions during the murder were detailed through the evidence, leading to his conviction for first-degree murder, home invasion, and use of a handgun in a violent crime.His motive for killing Jon Hickey was rooted in a love triangle involving Jennifer McKay, is ex--lover. When McKay ended her relationship with Greene and started dating Jon Hickey in October 2017, it triggered intense jealousy and emotions in Greene.
Driven by feelings of betrayal and the emotional turmoil of seeing McKay with someone else, Greene's jealousy escalated to a violent act. In a tragic turn of events, he broke into Jon Hickey's apartment armed with a gun and fatally shot him in the head.
Dateline NBC's Season 32 Episode 30 titled, "The Killer on Camera 4" reveals chilling details of Jon Hickey's murder. Th official synopsis reveals, "Dennis Murphy reports on a case in which security cameras play a key role in a murder investigation."
Who was Jon Hickey?
The dedicated Baltimore volunteer firefighter, Jon Hickey, born on May 24, 1986, was deeply committed to his community. Known for his skills in various sports, including baseball and ice hockey during his high school years, Jon embarked on a noble journey in 2005. He became a dedicated volunteer firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician at the Woodlawn Fire Department.
Tragically, on November 30, 2017, Jon Hickey's life was cut short due to the actions of his girlfriend's obsessive stalker, Daniel Greene. Upon entering Jon's apartment, the investigators were met with the chilling sight of his lifeless body sprawled on the couch. The fatal gunshot wound to the head left no room for doubt, prompting an immediate classification of the case as a homicide. The investigators were well aware that this tragic incident was a classic case of identity, unraveling the sinister motives behind the heinous act.
When did Daniel Greene start dating Jennifer McKay?
Daniel Greene and Jennifer McKay had been familiar with each other since their elementary school days. Even though Daniel was married to Jennifer Greene, he maintained a sporadic and complicated intimate relationship with McKay. In court documents, it was disclosed that Jennifer Greene, during Daniel's hearing, provided testimony that delved into the complexities of their relationship.
In her testimony, McKay revealed that Daniel Greene had allegedly misrepresented his marital status, claiming to be divorced from his wife while actively engaging in a secretive and furtive relationship with her. Subsequently, Jennifer decided to end her association with Daniel in September 2017. Following this, she began dating Jon Hickey in October 2017, unaware of the tragic events that would unfold in the future.
How did Daniel Greene break into Jon Hickey’s apartment?
Daniel Greene broke into Jon Hickey's apartment by entering through the window. The surveillance footage from an adjacent building revealed the intruder accessing the apartment through the window and later leaving through the back door. This method of entry was a key detail in the investigation, helping to establish how Greene gained access to the crime scene.
Greene's mother, Beth, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the verdict, stating that her son wasn't the killer. She argued that the police had pieced together substantial evidence to create a narrative, casting doubt on the accuracy and fairness of the prosecution's case against her son.
How did the police find Jon Hickey's body?
Following a wellness check requested by Hickey's girlfriend, Jennifer McKay, police officers entered the building to find Hickey's lifeless body on the living room sofa. Jennifer had grown concerned after being unable to contact him for two days, and the absence of his car from its usual parking spot heightened her worries. Assisted by the landlord, officers gained access to the apartment.
The subsequent investigation delved into surveillance footage from the adjacent building, unveiling a chilling sequence of events. The footage captured an intruder entering the building through a window and later leaving through the back door while brandishing a firearm. Before and after the tragic incident, the intruder was observed pacing the sidewalks. This critical footage served as valuable evidence in the inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Hickey's untimely death.
Was Jennifer McKay also behind Jon Hickey’s murder?
It's important to note that Jennifer was not involved in the murder but rather actively cooperated with law enforcement to unravel the sequence of events and establish the connection between Daniel Greene and Jon Hickey's tragic death. She played a crucial role in the investigation by identifying the masked intruder as Daniel Greene.
McKay courageously took a stand against her ex, Daniel Greene, actively assisting the police in identifying him. Despite initial uncertainty due to Daniel's beard and stature, Jennifer eventually became convinced of his involvement in the crime. However, during legal proceedings, Daniel's defense attorney raised doubts about her identification, suggesting the possibility of a mistake on her part.
"You can berate me all you want. It's Dan in the video," McKay said during her trials, confirming from her end it was indeed, Daniel, in the video footage.
When was Daniel Greene convicted?
Daniel Greene received a life sentence plus 20 years from the Maryland state's attorney's office for the murder of Jon Hickey. Greene's conviction on June 23, 2023, included charges of first-degree murder, home invasion, and the use of a handgun in a violent crime. He was arrested in December 2017, and a jury found him guilty in June on multiple charges related to the crime.
Prior to his sentencing, Greene expressed a desire to seek new legal counsel and requested a postponement. He, along with his attorney Warren Brown, claimed an impasse in their collaboration, citing new evidence that emerged and suggesting that his case was "not a closed matter." However, the judge continued with the trial and said, "I want to do this right for everyone."
'Dateline NBC' Season 32 airs new episodes every Friday at 8 pm ET on NBC and is available for streaming on Peacock the following day.