Warning: This article contains discussion of rape which some readers may find distressing.
A man responsible for the murder of a young couple during a fishing trip nearly 30 years ago has been put to death.
James Dennis Ford, held on death row, was executed via lethal injection on Thursday (February 13) for the murders of Gregory and Kimberly Malnory, preceding his execution with a chilling six-word statement.
On April 6, 1997, Ford extended an invitation to his colleague Gregory for a fishing excursion at South Florida Sod Farm in Punta Gorda, Florida. Gregory, 25, attended with his wife Kimberly, 26, and their 22-month-old daughter Maranda.
Upon reaching the farm, Ford confronted them with a firearm, shooting Gregory in the head with a rifle. He then struck Gregory with a suspected blunt object and ultimately slit his throat.
Though Kimberly sustained injuries during the attack, she managed to flee with her child in their vehicle. Tragically, Ford pursued them, ultimately raping and killing Kimberly while her daughter was present.
The toddler was left physically unharmed by Ford, though she was discovered dehydrated and covered in insect bites more than 18 hours later, with her mother’s blood on her, still inside the truck.
After 26 years on death row, Ford, aged 64, was declared dead at 6:19 p.m. ET at Florida State Prison in Raiford.
In his final written message, prison officials informed WWSB that he wrote: “Hugs Prayers Love!!! God Bless everyone!!!!”
For his last meal, Ford requested steak, fried okra, macaroni and cheese, and sweet potato, topped off with pumpkin pie and sweet tea.
Speaking to the press at the execution, Gregory’s mother, Connie Ankney, stated: “This is the day for final justice for Kim and Greg. I hope he burns in hell.”
The surviving daughter of the Malnorys, Maranda, also commented on the execution of her parents’ killer.
She shared with Gulf Coast News: “I told one of my grandmas the other day you grieve the people you knew,” adding, “But I grieve what could have been.
“Technically, my worst enemy is the person who did this. But I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy.”
Maranda was 13 years old when she was informed of the circumstances surrounding her parents’ absence and their tragic deaths.
On Facebook, she expressed: “I love you forever mommy and daddy!”
If you have been affected by any of the issues mentioned in this article, you can reach out to The National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673), which is available 24/7. Alternatively, you can chat online at online.rainn.org