Pure Evil

by Jaclyn Weldon White

Rebecca and Ronald Akins and their three daughters appeared to be a typical suburban family in 1970 Macon, Georgia, but the attractive facade hid a family in crisis. The girls suffered physical and emotional abuse at the hands of their mother. Although he sometimes worked three jobs, Ronnie was never able to provide Becky the lifestyle she wanted. After their 1974 divorce, Becky took the children to South Florida where she pursued a life of gambling and partying. Fueled by popular books and films, she wanted to live in what she believed was the exciting world of organized crime and changed her name to Machetti. In only a few months, she found two men who joined her in her murderous fantasy which culminated in two deaths. The resulting legal proceedings went on for more than a decade. This is the story of Rebecca Machetti, a cold-blooded woman whose prosecutor described as pure evil and her three daughters who lived through years of abuse before finally finding peace and normal lives.

Genres: True Crime

304 pages, Paperback

Published September 17, 2021

About the author

Jaclyn Weldon White was born, raised and has lived all her life in the South. She was a police officer for six years where she investigated street crimes and traffic offenses. She worked for four years as a detective investigating murders, sex crimes, burglaries and other offenses. She left police work and retired as an administrator for a large metropolitan Atlanta juvenile court.
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Reviews

[Harrison Busbee]

A dark but incredible story made even more interesting (for myself personally) due to its backdrop taking place primarily in Macon and Athens. Reads like a non-fiction thriller despite being a true story.

[Jim Giddens]

Pure Evil, a work in the genre of true crime, was made even more interesting as it is about murders that happened in my hometown in my lifetime and orchestrated by someone I came in relatively closed contact with once upon a time. Some of the law enforcement officers are family friends and other people whom I know. When I was in high school, I was in a group of students who toured the women's prison at Hardwick, Baldwin County, Georgia, near Milledgeville. During the tour, our guide pointed at a building and said, "That's where we keep our potentially violent women. In that building is Rebecca Machetti." I was five years old when the murders happened. I did not know until I read this book that Machetti orchestrated the murders while living in Miami, Florida, the hometown of several other friends. The book was well written as if a friend was telling me all about what happened.

[Fran Colley]

Pure evil is the only way to understand how a mother could terrorize and manipulate her own children, then plot to murder their father while taunting them with the crime. The heartbreak and pain cannot be captured on pages, but the author’s writing is so compelling, and her description so vivid, that she comes very close.

[Pam Bridges]

It was recommended by a friend because it was about a family who lived in Macon, GA during my high school years. It is hard to believe there are people living around us that are so evil. Very interesting read.

[Kelly]

My dad went to school with Becky and remembers the day she was called out of class because her dad and brother had died. He also remembers an occasion when a bunch of kids played hooky from school, and Becky ratted everyone out. This was a great book, well written, very well researched, and told with great compassion for those affected by Becky’s evil. The case was also featured on an episode of Snapped, in which this author commented throughout the show. Daughter Valerie and Alan Barfield also commented, and a lot of extra photos were shown that weren’t included in the book. So I would recommend watching that after reading this.

[Samantha Dean]

Found this book at a local indie bookstore. Being the true-crime junkie I am, I bought it immediately.
As soon as I started reading, I knew I was gonna feel some type of way. This woman, "Becky", pissed me right off! Sadly, I have known people like her in my own life. Thankfully, not as a parent, but still!
Well researched and written, the book was easy to read- when I wasn't triggered! I couldn't tell you how many times I had to stop reading, shake my head and say "Ooh, this heifer right HERE!"

[Alan]

This is a true, almost unbelievable story of a women too mean to die, hell doesn’t even want her. Being very well researched and written, once you start reading, you won’t be able to put it down till you get to the end!

[Tori]

A Georgia true crime story. Fascinating read.
A woman's obsession with the mafia and The Godfather films.
Jaclyn Weldon White describes the tragic events that took place to end the life of two innocent people.

[Valerie Moye]

Terrifying that this woman is alive and out of prison. Jaclyn Weldon white brings you right in the middle of the horror of this book. Excellent read. A+

[Rochelle Maree]

I was flabbergasted by this incredible true story. As a relation by marriage (now widowed) learning the entire story was mind blowing to me.