In the violent underbelly of 1980s Detroit, one name quietly terrorized the streets: Nate Boone Craft. Standing over 6 feet tall and stoic, Craft wasn’t just another street soldier. He was a contract killer, operating for one of the most feared gangs of the era — the Best Friends Gang — and he would later confess to over 30 murders.
But what turned this once-loyal enforcer into a government informant? And why, decades later, does his name still echo through Detroit's criminal history?
A Quiet Beginning in a Loud City
Born on 25 March 1957, in Detroit, Michigan, Craft grew up during a time when the city was undergoing massive socio-economic change. Jobs were vanishing, neighborhoods were crumbling, and young men were drawn into street life.
Craft never spoke much about his family or upbringing. By most accounts, he kept his personal life guarded, and that secrecy would follow him into adulthood.
By his early 20s, Craft was involved in drug trafficking, slowly making a name for himself not as a loud leader, but as someone who got things done quietly, efficiently, and fatally.
The Rise of a Professional Killer.
In the 1980s, Detroit became a battlefield. The crack cocaine epidemic created a power vacuum in the city’s drug trade. Gangs were militarizing. One of the most lethal was the Best Friends Gang, a group known not just for selling drugs but for executing rivals.
Craft wasn’t just a member — he was their most feared weapon.
He later admitted to law enforcement that he was paid thousands of dollars per hit, eliminating rivals on command. His victims weren’t just street dealers. He was involved in high-level executions that reshaped the balance of power in Detroit’s underground.
Betrayal, Prison, and a New Identity
In a twist no one saw coming, Nate Boone Craft eventually turned informant. Facing a life sentence, he confessed to his crimes and testified against other gang members, including his former associates in Best Friends. His decision sent shockwaves through the underworld.
Perhaps most shocking of all was his testimony against Gil Hill, a former Detroit police officer and city councilman, who was also an actor in the Beverly Hills Cop movies. Craft claimed Hill had offered him $125,000 to murder Richard “White Boy Rick” Wershe Jr., the teenage FBI informant whose own story later became a Hollywood film.
Craft’s cooperation earned him a reduced sentence: 17 years in prison followed by time in witness protection.
Life After Violence
After serving his time, Craft faded from public view. Reports suggest he now lives a modest, anonymous life, far from the chaos of his past.
He has no known social media presence, and despite a flurry of articles and documentaries, Craft has never written a memoir or spoken publicly about his full story.
His alleged connection to White Boy Rick and accusations against powerful figures keep his name alive in internet searches and YouTube comment sections, but Craft himself remains a ghost.
Legacy and Controversy
Why does Nate Boone Craft’s story still matter?
Because his life exposes the dirty overlap between organized crime, law enforcement, and politics in Detroit’s darkest era. He wasn’t just a hitman — he was a symbol of how deep the corruption went.
As true-crime podcasts, documentaries, and books revisit Detroit’s drug wars, Craft is often mentioned alongside other infamous figures. Yet unlike many of them, he lived to tell the tale — though he rarely does.
Conclusion
Nate Boone Craft is a chilling reminder of what happens when a city unravels. His story isn’t just about violence; it’s about choices, betrayal, survival, and the unseen forces that shape urban crime.
Even in silence, his legacy speaks volumes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is Nate Boone Craft?
Nate Boone Craft is a former hitman from Detroit who became notorious for claiming responsibility for nearly 30 contract killings during the height of the city’s drug wars. Once part of the violent “Best Friends” gang, he later cooperated with authorities to dismantle the very network he worked for.
Why did Nate Boone Craft confess to so many murders?
Craft confessed to his crimes as part of a plea deal that saw his sentence reduced. His cooperation, including testimony against major drug lords and corrupt figures, was instrumental in several high-profile convictions.
Was Nate Boone Craft really involved in a plot to kill White Boy Rick?
Yes, according to his statements, Craft was allegedly offered $125,000 to assassinate Richard "White Boy Rick" Wershe Jr. by a prominent Detroit official. He refused the offer and later advocated for Wershe's release, calling the situation unjust.
How much prison time did Nate Boone Craft serve?
He served approximately 17 years in prison after turning state's witness. His cooperation played a significant role in the authorities granting him a more lenient sentence than typical first-degree murder cases.
Where is Nate Boone Craft now?
After his release from prison, Craft reportedly lives a low-key life away from the public eye. While he once lived under witness protection, his current location and lifestyle are kept private for security reasons.
Does Nate Boone Craft have a Wikipedia page?
No, as of now, Nate Boone Craft does not have an official Wikipedia entry, despite being widely searched due to his connection to organized crime in Detroit.
Is there any verified information about his family or personal life?
Most details about Craft’s family, such as his parents, children, or past relationships, remain undisclosed. He has maintained strict privacy, and little is publicly known about his personal background beyond his criminal past.