Warning: This article contains discussion of rape which some readers may find distressing
A man on death row was executed in Florida for the rape and murder of a mother of two. In his final moments, he referenced a well-known film in a message to his wife and the victim’s family.
In 1994, 23-year-old Carmen Gayheart was abducted from a supermarket parking lot in Lake City, Florida, by Anthony Wainwright and his accomplice, Richard Hamilton, who had both escaped from prison just three days earlier.
Carmen, a nursing student and married mother of two, was taken to a secluded wooded area where she was raped. Wainwright then strangled her and shot her twice in the head.
During the trial in 1995, Wainwright and Hamilton accused each other of committing the murder. Nonetheless, a jury found them both guilty of murder, kidnapping, robbery, and rape, recommending the death penalty for each.
Hamilton passed away from natural causes on Death Row at 59, and on June 10, Anthony Wainwright, aged 54, was executed at Florida State Prison near Starke, close to Lake City.
Wainwright was executed by lethal injection around 6 pm. Before his death, he gave a final message to his wife and Carmen’s family.
His spiritual advisor, Rev. Jeff Hunt, noted that Wainwright chose to forgo a final meal, explaining it would “distract him from his family and the people that he loved.”
Carmen’s elder sister, Maria David, was present to witness the execution.
Speaking to the Daily Mail before the execution, Maria remarked, “Carmen was so scared for her life in her final moments, thinking, ‘This is it. I’m gonna die.’ And I can only hope that fear is something he’s feeling now, too.”
While Wainwright expressed hope that “my death brings you peace and healing” to the grieving family, he did not apologize for the crimes, according to the Mail.
He also addressed his wife, who had supported him throughout their time together.
“My beautiful wife Samantha, you are the love of my life. I’m so blessed we found each other. The years we have spent together have been beyond wonderful,” Wainwright said.
“They’ve been downright magical. Love is stronger than death and I know our love will last for eternity.”
“I wanted to thank everyone who has supported my wife Samantha and I. It has truly been overwhelming. It has meant so much to us both.”
He then quoted The Princess Bride, saying, “Death cannot stop true love. All it can do is delay it for a while.”
After his execution, Maria, who had awaited this day for 30 years, told reporters: “Carmen was a devoted wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend.”
Maria stated she is looking forward to “never having to think about Anthony Wainwright ever again.”
If you have been affected by the topics discussed in this article, you can reach out to The National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673), available 24/7, or chat online at online.rainn.org