In a grim chapter of Florida’s history, a man who committed a heinous act over three decades ago now faces the ultimate penalty. Chadwick Scott Willacy, aged 58, met his fate at the Florida State Prison near Starke, where he was executed for the murder of Marlys Sather in 1990. His life was taken through a series of three-drug injections, beginning at 6 p.m., and he was pronounced dead by 6:15 p.m.

The tragic incident unfolded on September 5, 1990, when Sather, returning to her Palm Bay residence during her lunch break, stumbled upon Willacy in the midst of burglarizing her home. The confrontation escalated, leading to a horrifying outcome that sent shockwaves through the community.

During his final moments, Willacy addressed his family and friends, offering apologies and words of encouragement to his fellow inmates. Despite the gravity of his actions, he maintained his innocence, insisting he would never harm someone he considered a friend.

In a poignant message to the family of the victim, he expressed hope that his execution might offer them some solace. “To the victim’s family, I hope this brings you peace. If it does, that’s good,” he remarked. “But this is not right.”

John Sather, the only son of the victim, bore witness to the execution, watching as the man responsible for his mother’s death took his last breath. The execution marks the end of a long and painful chapter for those affected by the crime.

Court records indicate Sather had returned to her Palm Bay home for her lunch break on September 5, 1990, and found Willacy burglarizing her home. 

He struck her in the head with a blunt object, fracturing her skull, and then bound her hands and ankles with wire and tape, according to investigators.

Willacy attempted to strangle Sather with a telephone cord, and when that didn´t work, he doused her in gasoline and set her on fire. 

Chadwick Scott Willacy, 58, who in 1990 set his neighbor on fire after she found him burglarizing her home during her lunch break from work, has been executed in Florida

Marlys Sather was struck her in the head with a blunt object, fracturing her skull, and then had her hands and ankles bound with wire and tape before she was set on fire

An autopsy determined that Sather had died from smoke inhalation, indicating she was still alive when she was set ablaze.

Willacy also stole Sather´s car and other items from her home, and used the woman´s ATM card to steal cash, officials said. 

When Sather failed to return from her break, her employer caller her family. Her son-in-law went to check on her and found her body.

Willacy was sentenced to death a year later upon a 9-3 jury recommendation after being convicted of first-degree murder, burglary, robbery and arson.

Then in 1994, the Florida Supreme Court ordered a new sentencing because the trial judge failed to allow defense attorneys a chance to rehabilitate a potential juror who indicated she could not recommend the death penalty. 

Willacy again drew the death penalty at resentencing in 1995 on the 11-1 recommendation of a new jury.

This is Florida´s fifth execution of 2026 following a record 19 executions in the state last year. 

Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis oversaw more executions in a single year in 2025 than any other Florida governor since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. 

The previous record was set in 2014 with eight executions.

On Tuesday, Willacy awoke at 5 am and remained compliant as the execution hour approached, Department of Corrections spokesman Jordan Kirkland said at an afternoon news conference. 

Willacy had a last meal including chicken, tater tots, ice cream and pie. He received visits from his mother, two sisters and a cousin. He did not meet with a spiritual adviser.

Marlys Sather’s son, seen left, was able to watch the execution of his mother’s killer

The execution took place at Florida State Prison in Starke

A total of 47 people were executed in the US in 2025. Florida led the way with a long line of death warrants signed by Governor Ron DeSantis

The US Supreme Court on Tuesday afternoon denied Willacy’s final appeal without comment. 

Last week the Florida Supreme Court also denied appeals filed by Willacy. 

He had made claims based on the state’s refusal to grant public records requests about executions and lethal injection.

A total of 47 people were executed in the US in 2025. 

Florida led the way with a long line of death warrants signed by DeSantis. Alabama, South Carolina and Texas tied for second with five executions each.

Three were by firing squad and five by nitrogen hypoxia, which involves pumping nitrogen gas into a face mask, causing the prisoner to suffocate.

The use of nitrogen gas as a method of capital punishment has been denounced by United Nations experts as cruel and inhumane.

The death penalty has been abolished in 23 of the 50 US states, while three others – California, Oregon and Pennsylvania – have moratoriums in place.

President Donald Trump is a proponent of capital punishment and has called for an expansion of its use ‘for the vilest crimes.’

Another execution is planned in Florida later this month. 

James Ernest Hitchcock, 70, is scheduled to received a lethal injection on April 30. 

He was convicted of beating and choking his 13-year-old niece to death.

All Florida executions are injection of a sedative, a paralytic and a drug that stops the heart, according to the Department of Corrections.