Florida killer commits suicide while on death row
Share this @internewscast.com

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) — A second man convicted of murdering someone in Bay County and sitting on death row has died this week.

Kayle Bates was executed Tuesday, but that’s not how the second man died.

The Florida Department of Corrections website now lists Matthew Caylor as deceased.

News Channel 8’s sister station News 13 confirmed Caylor committed suicide Tuesday night.

It’s unclear how Caylor committed suicide or why corrections officers were unable to prevent it.

On July 8, 2008, Caylor raped and killed 13-year-old Melinda Hinson.

Hinson and her family were living at the Value Lodge motel on West Highway 98.

She walked to Caylor’s room to bum a cigarette.

Caylor raped the girl, strangled her with a phone cord, then stuffed her body under the bed. Motel maids found the body two days later.

A local jury convicted Caylor of first-degree murder and voted 8-to-4 in favor of the death penalty.

Because the jury’s vote was not unanimous, Caylor received a new sentencing phase in 2023.

Caylor requested a judge to decide his fate rather than a jury, saying he’d promised not to put Hinson’s mother through the ordeal.

During that resentencing, prosecutors announced the mother had died.

Chief Circuit Judge Christopher Patterson heard the case and resentenced Caylor to death.

Afterward, Caylor’s attorney filed a new appeal, saying if they’d known Hinson’s mother had died, they would have requested a jury hear the case.

The appeal wound up in the State Supreme Court, where justices rejected it earlier this year.

Caylor had been on death row since 2009.

“Matthew Caylor understood he was destined to share the same unavoidable outcome as Kayle Bates. By choosing to end his own life, he spared Florida taxpayers significant expenses,” remarked State Attorney Larry Basford.

Caylor was 50 years old.

The state will perform an autopsy as part of its investigation into his suicide.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Stay Alert: Tropical Storm Melissa Intensifies, Tampa Bay Prepares for Impact

VALRICO, Fla. (WFLA) — The National Hurricane Center has issued a hurricane…

Anticipated Inflation Report Set for Release Following Recent Government Shutdown

This Friday marks the release of the first federal update on inflation…

Winsome Earle-Sears Engages with Marion’s Small Business Community During Virginia Governor Race

MARION, Va. (WJHL) — On Thursday afternoon, Winsome Earle-Sears, the Republican candidate…

Pentagon Boosts Rio Grande Security with Enhanced Coast Guard Patrols: A Strategic Response

The U.S. Coast Guard plans to hold a press conference on Thursday…

Bristol, TN Awarded $48,000 Grant to Enhance Parks and Recreation Planning

BRISTOL, Tenn. (WJHL) — Bristol, Tennessee, is among 18 locales across the…

Exclusive: Bodycam Footage Revealing Former NFL Star Jay Cutler’s Arrest Now Public

FRANKLIN, Tenn. (WKRN) – Authorities in Tennessee have unveiled bodycam footage capturing…

Effingham Hit-and-Run: Suspect Identified in Unusual Scooter-Golf Cart Collision

EFFINGHAM, Ill. (WCIA) — Authorities have named the individual suspected of involvement…

New Volunteer Coordinator Poised to Aid Carter County’s Recovery Efforts Post-Hurricane Helene

In Carter County, Tennessee, the Long Term Recovery Group (LTRG) has revealed…

Storm Team 3 Forecast: Enjoy Sunny & Warm Weekend Before Showers Arrive Next Week

SAVANNAH, Ga. — Thursday dawned with some of the season’s coolest temperatures…

Trump Halts Trade Negotiations with Canada Following Reagan Tariff Advertisement

On Thursday, President Trump announced the cessation of trade discussions with Canada,…

Enjoy a Pleasant Weekend: Warm, Dry, and Breezy Weather Ahead

In Tampa, Florida, residents can expect a delightful afternoon with temperatures climbing…

Survey Reveals Texans’ Divided Opinions on Trump’s Immigration Policies

McALLEN, Texas (Border Report) A recently released poll highlights a divide among…