Florida Executes Man for 1990 Palm Bay Murder

Chadwick Willacy, 58, scheduled to be executed by lethal injection on April 21 for killing neighbor Marlys Mae Sather.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 8:13pm

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Chadwick Willacy, 58, is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection at Florida State Prison on April 21 for the 1990 murder of his neighbor Marlys Mae Sather. Willacy was convicted of beating, binding, and setting Sather's home on fire while she was still alive after she caught him burglarizing her home.

Why it matters

This case highlights Florida's continued use of the death penalty, with the state carrying out a modern-era record 19 executions in 2025. The execution of Willacy will be the sixth death warrant signed by Governor DeSantis this year, reflecting the state's aggressive approach to capital punishment.

The details

According to court documents, Marlys Mae Sather, 56, found her next-door neighbor Willacy burglarizing her home when she returned home unexpectedly from work in 1990. Willacy reportedly struck Sather in the head several times, bound her hands and ankles, and attempted to strangle her with a telephone cord. He then doused Sather in gasoline, disabled the smoke detectors, and placed a fan at her feet to provide oxygen to the ensuing fire. Sather's body was later discovered by her son-in-law, and the cause of death was recorded as smoke inhalation, indicating she was alive when set on fire. Willacy was found guilty of first-degree murder, burglary, robbery, and arson, and a jury recommended the death sentence in 1995.

  • On September 5, 1990, Marlys Mae Sather found Chadwick Willacy burglarizing her home.
  • In December 1991, Willacy was found guilty of first-degree murder, burglary, robbery, and arson.
  • In 1995, a jury recommended the death penalty for Willacy with an 11-1 majority.
  • On April 21, 2026, Willacy is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection at Florida State Prison.

The players

Chadwick Willacy

A 58-year-old man convicted of murdering his neighbor Marlys Mae Sather in 1990 after she caught him burglarizing her home.

Marlys Mae Sather

A 56-year-old woman who was murdered by her neighbor Chadwick Willacy in 1990 after she caught him burglarizing her home.

Ron DeSantis

The Governor of Florida who signed the death warrant for Chadwick Willacy's execution.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in Florida.”

— Robert Jenkins, Florida resident

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Chadwick Willacy's execution to proceed as scheduled on April 21.

The takeaway

This case highlights Florida's continued aggressive use of the death penalty, with the state carrying out a modern-era record 19 executions in 2025. The execution of Willacy will be the sixth death warrant signed by Governor DeSantis this year, reflecting the state's unwavering stance on capital punishment.