Michael Hughes (February 9, 1956 February 22, 2020), popularly known as "Mad" Mike Hughes, was an American limousine driver, professed flat-Earther, and daredevil known for flying in self-built steam rockets. I just want people to question everything, Hughes said in an interview on CBS. Please refresh the page and try again. Today, team doctors are more intimately involved with the health of their players, accompanying them to medical appointments and taking more precautions on and off the field. With time their family will shares his funeral information publically. Numerous people have recently surfed the news of Chuck Hughess death. 'Mad' Mike Hughes' fatal rocket crash caught on video By Daniel Cassady February 23, 2020 4:05pm Updated Video posted online shows the exact moment "Mad" Mike Hughes' homemade rocket came. Saturday's launch was reportedly filmed as part of Homemade Astronauts, a new TV series about amateur rocket makers to be aired on the US Science Channel. Want a digest of WHYYs programs, events & stories? It was always his dream to do this launch, and Science Channel was there to chronicle his journey., The launch that killed Mr. Hughes was supposed to take him 5,000 feet into the air, Discovery said, calling it only the first step towards an even more ambitious goal in space exploration., Mr. Hughes and Waldo Stakes, his longtime associate, dreamed of sending the brazen stuntman 62 miles into the air, clearing the Karman Line the border between Earths atmosphere and outer space, according to Discovery. Some undoubtedly do it for pleasure. But none of us are getting out of this world alive. He shared a video on Twitter and said Mad Mike Hughes just launched himself in a self-made steam-powered rocket and crash landed. Ashari Hughes, 16, died after collapsing during the game at Desert Oasis High School on Thursday afternoon. . Still, others are motivated by money. Thats why I want to go up in space., Alluding to that legacy, the Rocketman Instagram tribute said that right now, many are laughing at Mad Mike, but that no one laughed harder at Mad Mike Hughes, than himself.. He was 64. He was 64. The conspiracy stuff radicalized him, like so many people have in the past few years, he did his own research on YouTube, Chapman said. In the video of the launch, a parachute can be seen trailing behind the rocket, apparently deployed too early, seconds after take-off. He was quite the celebrity among that flat-earthers at that meeting. You're almost done! Why didnt she try harder?, In addition, Megans adopted mother, Mary, revealed that she had attempted to contact Willet so that Megan could have a relationship with her, but Willet refused. Our site is an advertising-supported site. In a tweet, the Science Channel said Hughes had died pursuing his dream. Michael 'Mad Mike' Hughes tragically passed away today during an attempt to launch his homemade rocket. [16] The steam-powered rocket launched at a sharp angle to avoid falling back to Earth on public land, and landed about 1,500 feet (460m) away from the launch point. Investigative journalist Matt Birkbeck, who wrote the book A Beautiful Child, which led to the discovery of Sevakis true identity, said in the documentary that she had been pregnant three times: Once in high school, the babys supposedly adopted, then it was Michael, then it was this third one who was given up for adoption in New Orleans. John Wayne Ferguson. The Early Life of Howard Hughes Hughes defiantly stated that the dispute would not stop him from flying: "I'm a daredevil. Vanessa Bryant Lawsuit Settlement in $29 Million Over Kobe Bryant Crash Images. It was like a lawn dart, and hit the ground at somewhere between four and 500 miles an hour, said Waldo Stakes, Hughes close friend and collaborator. It would later come out that Hughes had gone to Henry Ford Hospital seven weeks prior to his death complaining of chest pain, but the doctors failed to run the appropriate tests that would have led to a diagnosis. At least I can go home and have dinner and see my cats tonight.". "[24][4][25][26], Hughes appeared in the music video for the Death Valley Girls' song "One Less Thing (Before I Die)". Rocketman: Mad Mikes Mission to Prove the Flat Earth, More segments from Inside the Minds of Thrill Seekers, The life and death of daredevil Mad Mike Hughes, WHYY thanks our sponsors become a WHYY sponsor. And thats Megan.. The rocket soared in an arc, it disappeared into the sky for a moment, and then started to fall. Please whitelist to support our site. [1][2] He died on February 22, 2020, while filming a stunt for an upcoming Science Channel television series. How Have Her Father and Mother Supported Her Career? If I had found some way to get help to get away from the whole situation, then it never would have happened, she said. Willet then had two more daughters, Allison and Amy, with her next husband, but fell on rough times after they got divorced and a tornado destroyed her home. It took me two years to figure out how this works. [3] Although a public promoter of the flat Earth model, following his death his public relations representative said that Hughes had only used flat Earth as a PR stunt to acquire funding for his rockets. draft, and after three seasons with the Eagles, he was traded to the Detroit Lions in time for the start of the 1970 season. Charles "Chuck" Hughes grew up in Texas with his 12 siblings and was a standout football player on his high school team in Abilene. Every time you get in one of these things, its a 50/50 chance. Around 2 p.m. on Saturday, San Bernardino County sheriffs deputies were called to a rocket launch on private property in Barstow, Calif., about 120 miles northeast of Los Angeles. His post-flat-Earth fundraising campaign made its $7,875 goal. All or nothing: Scientists search for extraterrestrial intelligence, Humans have long asked the question, Are we alone? These SETI scientists are on a quest to find out, Former Councilmember Bobby Henon sentenced to 3.5 years in prison for taking bribes, Philly mayoral candidates are discussing gun violence tonight. Although there were many things we disagreed on, it said, we found commonality in his perspective of the human condition., Calling him a soft spirit with empathy for the world that contrasted with his public persona, the post said that Mr. Hughes was often lonely and felt his accomplishments as a daredevil had been forgotten.. [19][20] During launch, the rocket's parachute, which was designed for landing, appeared to deploy early and detach from the craft. He set a Guinness World Record in 2002 for the longest limousine jump - over 31 metres (103 ft) in a Lincoln Town Car stretched limo. Our thoughts & prayers go out to his family & friends during this difficult time. Officially, authorities are calling it a suicide. Hughes spent his childhood in Oklahoma City. Try downloading another browser like Chrome or Firefox. "Mad" Mike Hughes, 64, crash-landed his steam-powered rocket shortly after take-off near Barstow on Saturday. [23], Following Hughes' death, Darren Shuster, his public relations representative, stated: "We used flat Earth as a PR stunt Flat Earth allowed us to get so much publicity that we kept going! Question what really happened during the Civil War. His bio states that he was born on March 2, 1943, and spent his professional life as a football player. Hughes stated that the injuries suffered from the flight put him in a walker for two weeks. Freelance journalist Justin Chapman is writing a book about Hughes, and was at the final launch in the desert outside Barstow, Calif. There were about 50 spectators there, Chapman said. Ive heard that some make six figures promoting a flat earth. 2023 Variety Media, LLC. Scott Adams Wife: Does the Dilbert Creator Have a Life Partner? They were hoping to attract investors for their ultimate goal: building a rockoon, a part-rocket, part-balloon that could launch Hughes 62 miles up to the Krmn line, the border between Earths atmosphere and outer space, before hed parachute back down. He was widely famous due to his self made rocket engineer and limo stuntman and also for his thoughts regarding Flat Earth theory. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Sevakis was also pregnant in the late 80s in Tampa, according to the doc, which could be when Michael was born. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Carolina Knapp. Video of the tragic accident, which took place in Barstow, California, was captured by reporter Justin Chapman. However, Cliff maintains a relationship with Megan and her family, as is seen at the end of the documentary during Sevakis long-overdue memorial service. That network was the Science Channel, and their cameras were at the fatal launch to record part of a series Homemade Astronauts, in which Hughes would star. In November 2017, Mike claimed to give verbal permission from the Bureau of Land Management, which was approved, whereas the Federal Aviation Administration kept is pending approval. Mike Hughes was born in Barstow, California, in 1955. Find the obituary of Ethan Michael Hughes (1996 - 2021) from Bonne Terre, MO. Stakes doesnt regret teaching Hughes how to build rockets. Stay connected with us for more information on our site Leedaily.com, Your email address will not be published. Investigators said 6-year-old Michael Hughes was kidnapped in 1994. Michael Mad Mike Hughes tragically passed away today during an attempt to launch his homemade rocket. Your email address will not be published. [27][28], Hughes was the main focus of the 2019 documentary Rocketman: Mad Mike's Mission to Prove the Flat-Earth.[29][30]. Theyre filled floor to ceiling with memorabilia devoted to fast cars, boats, and planes. You need to put in the effort and keep a positive outlook on everything. The A.P. Michael Hughes was the son of Suzanne Marie Sevakis, who was kidnapped by Franklin Delano Floyd. There are figurines and posters of Evel Knievel, famous for his nationally televised motorcycle jumps. Toby Brusseau, the director of the documentary Rocketman: Mad Mikes Mission to Prove the Flat Earth, said he wanted to paint a sympathetic picture of Hughes and his efforts. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 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