Florida to Execute Man Convicted in 1989 Gainesville Murder

Ronald Heath will be the first person put to death in Florida in 2026.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Following a record 19 executions in Florida last year, Ronald Heath, 64, is scheduled to be executed on Tuesday for the 1989 murder of Michael Sheridan in Alachua County. Heath was convicted of shooting, stabbing, and robbing Sheridan in a wooded area south of Gainesville.

Why it matters

Florida has seen a surge in executions in recent years, with a record 19 carried out in 2025. The upcoming execution of Ronald Heath will be the first in the state in 2026, reigniting debates around the death penalty and its application.

The details

Heath was convicted of the 1989 murder of Michael Sheridan, who was shot, stabbed, and robbed in a wooded area south of Gainesville. Two more executions are also scheduled in Florida over the next month, as the state continues to carry out a high number of death sentences.

  • Ronald Heath is scheduled to be executed on Tuesday, February 11, 2026.
  • Florida set a record with 19 executions in 2025.

The players

Ronald Heath

A 64-year-old man convicted of the 1989 murder of Michael Sheridan in Alachua County, Florida.

Michael Sheridan

The victim of the 1989 murder committed by Ronald Heath in Alachua County, Florida.

Ron DeSantis

The Governor of Florida, who has the power to commute death sentences.

Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops

An organization that has urged Governor DeSantis to commute Heath's sentence to life in prison, as it has done with other inmates executed last year.

Joseph Harmon

The associate for policy coordinator for the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops.

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What they’re saying

“We want to speak up for the value of human life. It doesn't mean forgetting about the victim, but also recognizing that God doesn't forget about anyone, no matter how grave the crime they committed.”

— Joseph Harmon, Associate for Policy Coordinator, Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops

What’s next

Two more executions are scheduled in Florida over the next month, as the state continues to carry out a high number of death sentences.

The takeaway

Florida's surge in executions, with a record 19 carried out in 2025, has reignited debates around the death penalty and its application. The upcoming execution of Ronald Heath, the first in the state in 2026, will further fuel these discussions about the morality and efficacy of capital punishment.