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

Central Florida Man’s Arrest Unfolds After Accidental Tag Error Lands Him on ‘Naughty List

In Volusia County, Florida, a man wanted by authorities found himself in…

Tragic Incident in Knox County: Woman Fatally Shot by Officers During Confrontation

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A tragic incident occurred on Tuesday when a…

Fenerbahce President Arrested in Istanbul Following Positive Drug Test Amid Ongoing Narcotics Investigation

ANKARA – In a significant development in Turkey’s ongoing drug investigation, Sadettin…

Asian Markets Show Varied Performance as US Stocks Hit New Highs

BANGKOK – On Thursday, Asian stock markets showed varied performance during a…

Saudi Arabia Urges Yemen Separatists to Withdraw from Two Governorates Amidst Rising Tensions in Anti-Houthi Coalition

DUBAI – On Thursday, Saudi Arabia officially urged Emirati-supported separatists in Yemen…

Exiled Heir Returns: Son of Former Bangladesh PM Poised for Leadership After 17-Year Absence

In a significant political development, the son of a former Bangladeshi prime…

Suspects Apprehended: Tensions Rise as Christmas Tree Arson Shakes West Bank Church

Authorities in the Israeli-occupied West Bank city of Jenin have detained three…

UT Extension Offices Launch Co-Parenting Courses for 2026: Empowering Local Families with Essential Skills

Divorce often presents numerous challenges, especially when children are involved, making custody…

DOJ Requests Extension on Epstein Files Release: What This Means for the Ongoing Investigation

WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, the Justice Department announced a potential delay of…

Track Santa’s Magical Journey: How Hawkins Co. Emergency Communications Keeps the Tri-Cities in the Holiday Spirit with Operation Santa Claus

In the heart of Hawkins County, Tennessee, the diligent team at Hawkins…

Seamless Christmas Eve Travel Experience at Orlando International Airport Delight Flyers

ORLANDO, Fla. – For those planning holiday getaways, flying on Christmas Eve…

Stunning Christmas Eve Sunset Captured Over Tri-Cities: See the Photos

A warm Christmas Eve in the Appalachian region set the stage for…