Florida has executed serial killer Ronald Palmer Heath by lethal injection, marking the end of a decades-long pursuit of justice for his brutal crimes. Heath, 64, was pronounced dead at 6:30 p.m. on February 10, 2026, after spending over 30 years on death row for the murder of Michael Sheridan in 1989.
Heath’s violent history began in 1977 when, at just 16, he committed his first murder. He brutally killed 18-year-old Michael Green, stabbing him multiple times before attempting to burn his body in a car. This ππ½πΈπΈππΎππ act of violence set the stage for a life steeped in crime.
After serving only a decade for the murder of Green, Heath was released on parole. Tragically, it took just six months for him to ππΎππ again. In May 1989, Heath and his brother Kenneth lured traveling salesman Michael Sheridan to a secluded area with the intent to rob him, leading to a horrific murder.
The brothers executed Sheridan in cold blood, shooting him and attempting to stab him. They then concealed his body in thick brush, returning to the bar to steal from his rental car. The heinous nature of the crime left the community reeling and sparked a police investigation.
Heath’s arrest came weeks later when he was ππππ°ππ attempting to use one of Sheridan’s stolen credit cards. This misstep led investigators to piece together the evidence linking him to Sheridan’s murder, culminating in his trial in 1990. His brother Kenneth testified against him, resulting in a conviction for first-degree murder.
Following years of appeals and legal challenges, all of which were denied, Heath’s death warrant was signed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in January 2026. The execution was the first of the year in Florida, signaling a decisive end to Heath’s lengthy legal battles.
On the day of his execution, Heath chose hamburgers and fries as his last meal. He spent his final hours in quiet reflection, reading the Bible and meeting with a spiritual adviser. As the clock struck 6:00 p.m., the lethal injection process began, ending his life in approximately six minutes.
Witnesses included family members of Michael Sheridan, who had fought tirelessly for justice. For them, this execution marked the culmination of over three decades of heartache and a relentless pursuit of closure. As Heath’s life came to an end, the echoes of his brutal past reverberated through the community he once terrorized.