Final Conversation with JFK Jr. Recalled by Former George Magazine Intern

New York – A poignant detail from the final hours of John F. Kennedy Jr.'s life has been brought to light by Benjamin Ryan, who was an intern at George magazine at the time of Kennedy's tragic death. Ryan shared a personal anecdote, revealing he was "one of the last people to speak to John F Kennedy Jr the day he died." The brief exchange, which occurred on July 15, 1999, centered on a seemingly mundane question: "I asked him how he broke his foot."

Kennedy, a prominent figure and the son of the late President John F. Kennedy, had launched George magazine in 1995, aiming to blend politics with pop culture. The magazine was a significant venture for Kennedy, who served as its editor-in-chief, and it quickly garnered attention for its unique approach to political journalism. His presence at the magazine's offices on the eve of his death underscores his active involvement in the publication.

Reports from the time confirm that Kennedy had indeed suffered a broken left ankle in a paragliding accident over Memorial Day weekend that year. He had undergone surgery and had the cast removed just days before the fatal flight, though he still walked with a limp. This injury, while not cited as a direct cause of the crash, was a notable physical challenge for Kennedy in the period leading up to the accident.

John F. Kennedy Jr. died on July 16, 1999, when the Piper Saratoga light aircraft he was piloting crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. His wife, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, and sister-in-law, Lauren Bessette, were also on board and perished. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) later concluded that the probable cause of the crash was Kennedy's "failure to maintain control of the airplane during a descent over water at night, which was a result of spatial disorientation," with haze and dark night being contributing factors.

The recollection by Benjamin Ryan offers a rare, intimate glimpse into Kennedy's final moments, adding a human dimension to the widely publicized tragedy. His death at 38, along with his wife and sister-in-law, marked a somber chapter in American history, bringing an end to a life lived under intense public scrutiny and speculation.