Warning: This article contains discussion of rape which some readers may find distressing.
Michael Tanzi passed away on April 8 following his death sentence for the 2000 rape and murder of Janet Acosta.
Michael Anthony Tanzi, aged 48, was declared dead at 6:12 pm local time at Florida State Prison in Raiford.
Governor Ron DeSantis signed the death warrant for his execution on March 10, setting the date for April 8.
Tanzi’s legal team sought to stop the execution by lethal injection, arguing that Tanzi’s morbid obesity and sciatica would cause significant discomfort.
They contended that his nerve condition would lead to pain if he were to be restrained in the position required for the lethal injection.
His lawyers stated: “Being in this position and suffering ‘severe sciatic nerve pain’ would require DOC ‘to torture him simply to establish and maintain two working intravenous sites.'”
The defense also argued that his size might prevent a sedative from effectively numbing any pain.
However, the Florida Attorney General’s Office countered that Tanzi’s claim about the sedative’s ineffectiveness was without evidence.
In his final words, Tanzi took the chance to address Janet Acosta’s family.
He said: “I want to apologize to the family of Janet Acosta and Caroline Holder for taking their lives.
“Heavenly Father, please do not blame those who do not know what they’re doing.”
Tanzi had been convicted of kidnapping and murdering 49-year-old Janet Acosta, an employee at the Miami Herald, when he was 20 years old.
Tanzi attacked Acosta as she sat in her parked van, threatening her with a razor blade.
He then bound, gagged, and drove her vehicle towards the Florida Keys.
During the ordeal, he sexually assaulted her, used her bank card to withdraw money, and ultimately strangled her to death before disposing of her body.
Police apprehended him a few days later while he was returning to her car, which was under surveillance after Acosta was reported missing.
While in custody, Tanzi confessed to the murder of Caroline Holder in Brockton, Massachusetts, a few months prior.
At that time, Miami police Detective Frank Casanovas commented to the Miami Herald: “What we have here is a fledgling serial killer.”