John F. Kennedy Jr., his wife Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, and her sister Lauren died in a plane crash 25 years ago, but many questions still remain. A new book sheds light on some of what was happening in the days leading up to their tragic deaths. JFK Jr.: An Intimate Oral Biography, by RoseMarie Terenzio, a friend of the couple, and People editor-at-large Liz McNeil, comes out on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, but People has published excerpts that suggest JFK Jr. and Carolyn were struggling with some relationship challenges in the days leading up to their deaths on July 16, 1999.
In the book, JFK Jr.'s "closest friends, confidantes, lovers, classmates, teachers, and colleagues" share "never-before-told stories and insights," according to publisher Simon & Schuster.
The excerpts published by People reveal that JFK Jr. spent "at least one night at the Stanhope Hotel" during the week of July 12. People, including those close to the couple, have different accounts of what happened, with a college friend, Sasha Chermayeff, saying "I think he went there to meet [former girlfriend] Julie Baker."
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But John's former girlfriend Julie denies these claims. She said she "spoke to John for the last time the night before he passed" but that the "rumor" that she "was with him at the Stanhope [that night]" is untrue, as per People.
"He was at a baseball game and wanted me to meet up with him and his friend after to grab a drink. I was away, so I couldn’t," Julie said. "I did however grab a quick lunch with him (which we often did) at the Stanhope a few days before the accident."
Sasha said that Carolyn and John "were spiting each other" that week as they were grappling with relationship challenges.
"Maybe Carolyn was trying to make him worry [by not coming home]," Sasha said, as per People. "So then he did it the next night. He was not with her those last two nights."
Sasha said it's ultimately unclear what would've happened to their relationship.
"Everybody always asks me, 'What do I think would’ve happened?' Anything was possible," Sasha told the authors.
Carolyn was also struggling with "paranoia" after marrying JFK Jr., according to her friend Sasha. "She genuinely felt she was in danger," Sasha said, adding that "being followed" is "very different for a 200 lb. man than for a woman alone."
"After they got married, it just escalated and escalated and escalated," Sasha said, as per People.
Though the excerpts shed light on some of the challenges in their relationship, some friends also spoke about the love that the couple shared.
John's friend Robbie Littell told the authors of the new book that "[Carolyn] intrigued him more than anyone he’d ever met," as per People.
