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Crime

Chadwick Scott Willacy broke into the Palm Bay, FL, home of his neighbor, 56-year-old Marlys Mae Sather, on September 5, 1990, so he could steal some things while she was at work.

Unfortunately, she came home for work that day and walked in on the burglary. Willacy didn’t want to leave a witness, so he beat her over the head, causing a skull fracture. From there, he bound her wrists and ankles, then tried to strangle her with a telephone cord.

He then left the scene with her vehicle and ATM card and went to a bank to withdraw money. He returned to her residence, stole property, and loaded it into her car. Then he poured gasoline on Sather and set her on fire while she was still alive.

She was found dead by a family member later that day.

Fingerprints and witnesses’ accounts led police to Willacy. He was convicted of murder, arson, robbery, and burglary.

Legal Proceedings

During the sentencing phase of his trial, the jury voted 9 to 3 in favor of the death penalty, and the court accepted that recommendation.

Years later the sentence was overturned, and at a new sentencing hearing, jurors voted 11 to 1 in favor of death

Now 58 years old, he will get the needle on April 21st, 2026.

Execution

Willacy was marched to the death chamber just before 6 pm on April 21st, 2026. According to ABC7Chicago, the curtain to the death chamber opened right at 6 pm, and Willacy was asked if he had anything to say.

He insisted he was innocent, but he apologized to his family and friends. He also spoke to the victim’s family saying, “I hope this brings you peace. If it does, that’s good.”

The execution began at 6:02 PM. Willacy was injected with three different drugs and was pronounced dead at 6:15 pm.