STARKE, Fla. — A man convicted of abducting and killing a Miami Herald employee over two decades ago was executed in Florida State Prison, officials confirmed. Michael Tanzi, 48, received a lethal injection and was pronounced dead at 6:12 p.m. on Tuesday, following his conviction for the murder of Janet Acosta in April 2000.
The execution marked the third in Florida this year, with another scheduled for early May. Tanzi, who was 23 at the time of the crime, approached Acosta during her lunch break at a scenic spot in Miami, initiating a tragic series of events that ultimately led to her death.
Acosta, then 49, was reading a book in the Japanese Rock Garden on Watson Island when Tanzi, having recently arrived in Miami, forcefully abducted her. After acquiring a small amount of cash and her bank card under threat, Tanzi drove Acosta down to the Florida Keys. He later confessed to strangling her in an isolated area after attempting to silence her with duct tape.
Friends and co-workers of Acosta, a dedicated Herald supervisor with 25 years of service, quickly noticed her absence, which initiated a police investigation. Her van was located in Key West, leading to Tanzi’s arrest after he directed police to where he had left Acosta’s body.
During the police interrogation, Tanzi chillingly recounted the details of his actions, revealing a disturbing lack of remorse. His confessions extended beyond the murder of Acosta; he also admitted to an earlier crime, the killing of Caroline Holder in Massachusetts in 1999, although he was never formally charged for this murder.
Despite numerous appeals, including a final appeal rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court just hours before his execution, Tanzi faced capital punishment. His defense had unsuccessfully argued against his execution on grounds of health issues, which they claimed could exacerbate his pain during the procedure.
In his final moments, Tanzi offered a quiet apology to Acosta’s family and recited a Bible verse before the administration of the lethal drugs. His death was confirmed following protocol checks by corrections officers.
Janet Acosta, remembered fondly by colleagues as kind-hearted and adventurous, had an impactful life. Prior to her tenure at the Herald, she taught English aboard ships and traveled globally. She even participated in a Habitat for Humanity project alongside former President Jimmy Carter, showcasing her dedication to service.
The loss of Acosta left an indelible mark on her community and colleagues. One friend expressed the deep emotional toll of discussing the tragedy, reflecting on the profound gap left by her absence.
This case underscores ongoing debates around the death penalty and criminal justice, spotlighting issues of crime, punishment, and the lasting impacts on victims’ families and communities. Tanzi’s execution closes a long-standing case that has lingered in the courts and in the memories of those affected by the tragic events of two decades ago.