A convicted murderer facing death row expressed a veiled apology in his final moments for setting his neighbor on fire over thirty years ago. Chadwick Scott Willacy received a lethal injection for the brutal murder of Marlys Sather, who was attacked in her own home. Willacy had broken in, assaulted Sather, bound her, and then set her ablaze, resulting in her tragic death.
After spending 36 years on death row in Starke, Florida, Willacy was executed. Despite expressing regret to his family and friends and encouraging fellow inmates to remain strong, he maintained his innocence, denying any involvement in Sather’s murder. Prior to his execution, Willacy addressed the victim’s family, hoping for their peace but expressing his belief in the injustice of the situation.
Willacy’s execution marked the fifth in Florida in the current year, following the execution of Michael Lee King, who had committed a heinous crime against a young mother. Both offenders had lengthy stays on death row before facing their punishments, with Willacy’s case spanning nearly four decades since the attack on Sather.
Details revealed that when Sather confronted her assailant, he attempted to strangle her before resorting to setting her on fire. Autopsy findings indicated that she perished from smoke inhalation, suggesting she was still alive when the arson occurred. Willacy not only stole from Sather but also used her belongings for personal gain, further exacerbating the gravity of the crime.
Florida’s recent execution activity has been notable, with a record 19 executions in the previous year. Governor Ron DeSantis oversaw a significant increase in executions in 2025 compared to previous administrations. Looking ahead, James Ernest Hitchcock is slated for a lethal injection later this month for the murder of his 13-year-old niece, continuing the state’s capital punishment proceedings.