WHO KILLED JFK Jnr?

AMERICANS have marked the third anniversary of John Kennedy Junior's death - by coming up with a clutch of bizarre conspiracy theories to explain the tragedy.

To millions, the handsome playboy son of former president JFK was the closest thing to royalty the United States ever had and, as with his father, far-fetched theories are suddenly being circulated, some suggesting he was MURDERED.

One of the most popular claims that JFK Jnr's plane was downed by a political assassin, another suggests his beautiful blonde wife caused the crash by chatting on her mobile phone just as they ran into turbulence over Martha's Vineyard and a third blames it on the legendary Irish curse said to have taken the lives of so many of the Kennedy clan.

Amazing reports in the US have flamed the fire and two forthcoming TV movies - one based on a controversial book by Kennedy's former business partner Richard Blow - will ensure the legend continues.

"Some of the explanations for the plane crash are patently ridiculous," says a Kennedy watcher.

"Others like the cellphone theory are based on recorded information and are pretty plausible. The fact they are being expounded three years on is testimony to the regard many had for John."

One of the wildest theories is that Kennedy, known as 'John John', was murdered by Clinton supporters because he planned to stand against Hillary Clinton in the New York senate race. A combination of his own popularity among New Yorkers and negative publicity surrounding Hillary, could have scuppered the former First Lady's hopes, it is claimed.

Others point to an explosion heard over Martha's Vineyard shortly before the plane went down to suggest that Middle East terrorists, worried that Kennedy was planning to run an article in his magazine George, placed a bomb on the tiny Piper Saratoga craft.

Jim Keith of US political journal NitroNews connects the crash with Kennedy's editorial decision to research the questionable circumstances surrounding the 1995 assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin.

"Kennedy's George Magazine had already run a 13-page article on the possibility of a conspiracy in the death of Rabin," says Keith.

At the time of his death, JFK Jr. was planning to meet with high- ranking members of Mossad, Israel's intelligence agency, to discuss information about the Rabin murder.

"At least three people on Martha's Vineyard reported seeing or hearing an explosion in the sky in the area where the aircraft was at the time."

Keith also claims leaked FBI documents record the discovery of explosives glued within the tail luggage compartments onboard the stricken plane.

One US paper claimed that 39-year-old Kennedy's wife Carolyn interfered with the controls as she made a mobile phone call while her husband was desperately trying to make an emergency landing.

The tabloid says it has information that a call was placed from Carolyn's phone seconds before the plane's descent.

Most popular though, is that the Kennedy Curse claimed the life of JFK Jnr and his passengers.

The legendary curse, reputed to have followed the Kennedy dynasty over from Ireland, is said to strike when Kennedy members are around water.

Kennedy patriarch Joseph Kennedy Jr. died in a flight over water during World War II while Ted Kennedy drove off bridge into water at Chappaquiddick - spookily the crash happened on the 30th anniversary of the Chappaquiddick incident.

The last man to hear Kennedy alive, radio operator Steven Lagudi, recalls speaking to John John.

"His voice still haunts me," says Lagudi. "I'll never forget it."

Copyright 2002 MGN LTD
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