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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A man convicted of kidnapping a woman
in Miami and later strangling her to death is set to be executed
next month under a death warrant Gov. Ron DeSantis signed
Monday.
Michael Tanzi, 48, is scheduled to be executed April 8 at
Florida State Prison.
Janet Acosta was seated inside her parked van in April 2000 when
Tanzi attacked her and threatened her with a razor blade,
according to court documents. Tanzi bound and gagged the woman
and began heading toward the Florida Keys in her van. Tanzi
sexually assaulted Acosta at one point and used her bank card to
take money from ATMs.
Tanzi eventually drove to an isolated area of Cudjoe Key, where
he strangled Acosta and left her body, officials said. He then
drove to Key West to visit friends. As Tanzi was making his way
through the Keys, Acosta's friends reported her missing. Police
recognized the woman's van and arrested Tanzi.
Tanzi's execution would be the state's third so far this year.
James Dennis Ford was put to death in February for murdering a
couple in 1997 in Charlotte County. Edward James is scheduled to
be executed March 20 for murdering a woman and raping and
killing her 8-year-old-granddaughter in Seminole County in 1993.
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