Ronald Palmer Heath: Death row inmate says chilling final words before execution
He said just nine words before he was given the lethal injection - but they were shocking.
A death row inmate has caused shock after using his last words to reveal his true feelings about his horrible crime.
Ronald Palmer Heath was pronounced dead at 6.12pm following a three-drug injection at the Florida State Prison, making him the first person to be executed in Florida in 2026.
Heath was convicted of murdering travelling salesman, Michael Sheridan, in 1989.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.When asked by the warden if he had any final words, Heath said: “I’m sorry. That’s all I can say. Thank you.”
According to the South Florida Sun Sentinel, Heath showed little outward reaction as the drugs were being administered.
He was declared dead about 10 minutes after the process began, the outlet reports.
Heath and his brother, Kenneth Heath, met the victim, Mr Sheridan, at a bar in Gainesville, Florida, in May 1989.
After hanging out at the bar, the three men decided to go elsewhere to smoke marijuana.
At some point throughout the night, the two brothers formulated a plan to rob Mr Sheridan. Heath drove the three to a remote area where Kenneth Heath pulled a handgun on Mr Sheridan and told him to hand over his valuables.
Mr Sheridan initially refused, but was shot in the chest by Kenneth Heath. As he began to empty his pockets, Heath began kicking him and stabbing him with a hunting knife.
Kenneth Heath then shot Mr Sheridan twice in the head.
The brothers dumped Mr Sheridan’s body in a wooded area and returned to the bar to take items from Mr Sheridan’s rental car. The next day, they made multiple purchases with Mr Sheridan’s credit card.
Kenneth Heath was also charged with Mr Sheridan’s murder, but was sentenced to life in prison as part of a plea agreement.
Heath was also convicted of killing teenager Michael Green when he was 16, which he served 10 years in prison for.
More than a dozen family members of Heath’s two victims witnessed the murderer’s execution.
Days after the death of Mr Sheridan, police also found the body of Tony Hammett. Heath was charged with his murder, but the case never went to trial.
