I do know this.....he got shot....he was being protected by some big dudes after the shooting...that is the end of the "good info" I have....a buddy was doing some conduit in the attic of the shop when the shooters came in and popped him (on a Saturday)....would love the whole story...yes, he built a very Howard-quality boat!
Back in the early 90's it was Howard, Hallett and Cole. The Chatsworth shop was a bit of a hole, but he had some beautiful boats in the back.