Who shot Don Aronow?

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Involving powerboat racing, mobsters, Presidents and ultimately murder; Don Aronow’s life sounds like an episode of Miami Vice. But who held the smoking gun?

On 3rd February 1987, six blinding lightening flashes and their accompanying peals of thunder rolled down North-east 118th Street, Miami, Florida. Unable to weather the hail of bullets spat from his assassin's pistol, Don Aronow, lay dying on a street known throughout the world as ‘Thunderboat Row' - a street he had created; home to nearly every race-boat maker in the Untied States.

As Aronow's lifeblood seeped through the multiple gunshot wounds, a crowd wearing t-shirts bearing the logos of household brands he had founded gathered around: Magnum, Formula, Donzi and Cigarette. But who held the smoking gun?

Having survived numerous high speed crashes and crippling injuries during his illustrious racing career, it appears it was the infamous company he kept that led to the murder of one of powerboat racing's greatest names.

Aronow's list of contacts was long and distinguished, including political leaders like King Hussein of Jordan, King Juan Carlos of Spain, the Prince of Kuwait, the King of Sweden, Hiatian despot Baby Doc Duvalier and George H. W. Bush. Flipping the page however, you'd be as likely to come across a list of organised crime bosses, who reigned with terror and dealt in arms and drugs.

Having made a fortune in the construction business in New Jersey, building homes and shopping centres, Aronow hastily ‘relocated' to Florida in 1961. Collecting his children from summer camp, and not returning to the family home, the 34 year-old arrived in Florida with a $2 million ‘retirement fund'.

Given the haste of their departure and the ingrained involvement of the mob in New Jersey's construction industry, rumours circulated on his death of a possible mafia style contract killing. Mike DeCora, a Metro-Dade homicide detective who worked the case discounts the theory however, saying: "We checked out the mob theory. He had friends in New Jersey - quote mobsters unquote - and we talked to them and to the authorities, but he didn't owe anybody anything. He really was a self-made man."

One thing that is certain however, is that while hanging around the marinas of Miami, Aronow's address book quickly filled with names of those with dubious occupations. One new friend was a young attorney named Al Malnik. Malnik is now a multi-millionaire who owns the largest title loan business in the United States.

Using his financial accumen, Malnik has built a multi-layered corporate empire that has reputedly enabled organised crime figures, including legendary Jewish rackets boss Meyer Lansky, to put their money into licit investments.

Discovering a passion for powerboat racing, Don Aronow's fierce drive propelled him to a record two world racing championships, and three American championships before he retired in 1970 - as one of the most successful powerboat racers of all time.

Don's prowess on the track was equalled by his gift as a boat designer. Founding the Formula maruque in 1962, Aronow designed the first 233 Deep-V hull, a 24 foot craft with a top speed in excess of 50 mph. Aronow's stock and reputation rose quickly, aided no doubt by his mega-watt charisma. When The Beatles visited Miami, it was in a Formula with Don at the helm, that they toured the coast.

After just two years of producing Formula, Aronow and Jim Wynn, Don's raceboat driver and naval engineer partner, sold out when they received an offer they couldn't refuse.

But displaying the same predilection in business as his private life for playing both ends off against the middle, Don soon opened a factory next door and started on his next range; Donzi.

The first craft off the line, the Donzi ‘Sweet Sixteen', was an instant hit - famous for its remarkable speed, maneuverability and rough water handling. The same applied to the 28 and 19 footers that followed. By the 1964-65 season, chequers were dropping on Donzi craft as quick as ladies at Aronow's feet.

Given Aronow's glamorous 100mph hour lifestyle, men wanted to be like him and women... well they just wanted him. It is purported that a secret doorway in the closet at his office led to a suite, complete with en-suite shower, which was used for clandestine meetings with up to as many as three or four admirers a day.

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