Michael Tanzi executed for brutal murder of Miami Herald employee

In Florida, a man named Michael Tanzi was executed by lethal injection on April 8, 2025, for the kidnapping and murder of Janet Acosta, a production worker at the Miami Herald, back in April 2000. Tanzi abducted Acosta while she was on her lunch break, threatening her with a razor blade to gain control. After forcing her to withdraw money from her bank account, he drove her to the Florida Keys, where he ultimately decided to kill her in order to prevent being caught. He killed her by strangulation and disposed of her body in a remote area. Tanzi's actions led to his conviction on multiple charges, including first-degree murder. Following his trial, a jury recommended the death penalty, and he was sentenced to death in 2003. Tanzi's appeals were unsuccessful, and he maintained that he could not let Acosta go without being apprehended. The case garnered significant media attention due to its gruesome nature and the premeditated aspects of the crime, as well as Tanzi's prior confession to another murder. His execution, the third in Florida for the year, reflects ongoing debates surrounding the death penalty and issues of proper medical procedures during lethal injections, especially considering Tanzi's weight and medical conditions that might have raised concerns about the execution process. The Florida Supreme Court dismissed claims regarding potential pain during the execution, affirming the legality of the imposition of the death penalty in Tanzi's case and ensuring his death sentence was carried out. Tanzi's final moments were marked by a brief apology to Acosta's family and a recitation of a Bible verse before he received the lethal drugs. This incident continues to resonate in discussions about justice and the effectiveness of the death penalty in addressing heinous crimes.