On July 31, 2023, Florida marked a grim milestone as it carried out its ninth execution of the year, setting a new record for the most executions in a single year since the death penalty was reinstated. Edward Zakrzewski, 60, was executed by lethal injection at the Florida State Prison in Bradford County, ending a three-decade-long saga that began with the brutal killings of his wife and children in 1994.
The Tragic Crime That Shook Florida
The crime that led to Zakrzewski’s conviction was one of the most horrifying in Florida’s history. Zakrzewski, who was facing marital issues with his wife Sylvia, confessed to his neighbor on two occasions that he would rather kill his family than face a divorce. His chilling words were realized on June 9, 1994, when Zakrzewski, learning that his wife wanted a divorce, went to purchase a machete during his lunch break.
Returning home, Zakrzewski waited for his family. When they arrived, the horror began. He first attacked Sylvia, knocking her unconscious and strangling her with a rope. He then killed his 7-year-old son Edward with the machete, before attacking his 5-year-old daughter, Anna, who was in the bathroom. The brutal murders left the entire community in shock.
The Fugitive’s Escape and Capture
After the killings, Zakrzewski fled Florida, heading to Orlando and then flying to Hawaii. There, he assumed a new identity and lived for several months with a family running a religious commune. His downfall came when he was recognized on the TV show Unsolved Mysteries. The following day, he turned himself in to the local police, bringing his fugitive days to an end.
Legal Battle and Final Moments
Despite numerous appeals from his legal team over the years, Zakrzewski’s conviction remained intact. On the morning of his execution, he had a final meal consisting of fried pork chops, root beer, and ice cream. Zakrzewski had one visitor and remained compliant in the hours leading up to his death, according to officials from the Florida Department of Corrections.
Florida’s use of lethal injection involves a combination of three drugs: a sedative, a paralytic, and a drug that stops the heart. This execution marked the highest number of executions in Florida since 2014, underscoring the state’s continued use of the death penalty.
Edward Zakrzewski’s execution serves as a reminder of the chilling impact of violent crime and the long-lasting effects it has on the victims’ families and the community. While the state has seen an increase in executions this year, the case of Zakrzewski remains one of the most disturbing in Florida’s history. The execution adds to the ongoing debate about the death penalty, its effectiveness, and its moral implications.
