A convict who had been sentenced to death row over thirty years ago for setting his neighbor ablaze used his final words to express a veiled apology. Chadwick Scott Willacy was administered a lethal injection for the murder of Marlys Sather, who fell victim to his violent actions upon discovering him inside her residence. Willacy, who had broken in during a sinister burglary, brutally attacked Sather, leaving her with severe injuries before tying her up.
After being found guilty of multiple charges, including first-degree murder, burglary, robbery, and arson, Willacy spent a lengthy 36 years on death row in Starke, Florida, before meeting his fate. Despite directing apologies to his relatives and friends and offering words of encouragement to fellow inmates, Willacy maintained his innocence, vehemently denying any involvement in his friend’s death.
In a statement preceding the lethal injection, Willacy addressed the victim’s family, expressing a desire for their peace, albeit questioning the righteousness of the situation. This execution marked the fifth in Florida this year, marking a trend that included the recent execution of Michael Lee King, who had committed a heinous crime against a young mother in the state.
Details emerged of the tragic encounter between Sather and her assailant, where he attempted to strangle her before resorting to setting her on fire. Investigations revealed that Sather succumbed to smoke inhalation, indicating she was still alive when the fire was ignited. Willacy not only stole Sather’s belongings but also used her ATM card to withdraw money, compounding the severity of his crimes.
This execution in Florida follows a notable surge in executions last year, with Governor Ron DeSantis overseeing a record number of executions in 2025. The state is poised for another execution later this month, targeting James Ernest Hitchcock, who was convicted of the brutal murder of his 13-year-old niece through physical violence.