- Michael Tanzi scheduled for execution April 8 for 2000 kidnapping and murder
- Brutal crime involved sexual assault, ATM thefts, and strangulation in Cudjoe Key
- Third Florida execution in 2024 amid ongoing death penalty debates
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis authorized the execution of 48-year-old Michael Tanzi, convicted of the April 2000 abduction and murder of Janet Acosta. Court records reveal Tanzi ambushed Acosta in her Miami van, using a razor blade to subdue his victim before driving south through the Florida Keys.
The gruesome crime escalated when Tanzi sexually assaulted Acosta and withdrew funds from her accounts at multiple ATMs. After reaching a remote Cudjoe Key location, investigators say Tanzi strangled Acosta and abandoned her body. His capture occurred hours later when Key West police recognized Acosta's vehicle.
This case marks Florida's third scheduled execution in 2024, following James Dennis Ford's February execution for a 1997 double homicide. Edward James faces lethal injection March 20 for a 1993 child murder case. Legal analysts note Florida remains among six states averaging ≥3 annual executions since 2020.
Forensic Breakthroughs: Tanzi's arrest highlights advancements in 2000s vehicle tracking systems. Police identified Acosta's van through partial license plate matches, a technique refined after 9/11 security upgrades.
Victim Advocacy Impact: Acosta's family worked with legislators to pass Florida's 2003 Victim Transportation Protection Act, mandating GPS in commercial fleet vehicles.
Regional Case Study: The Florida Keys have seen 4 capital punishment cases since 2010, contrasting with Miami-Dade County's 12-year execution hiatus until 2022.