Florida executes man for kidnapping, raping, shooting young mother in 2008
A Florida man was executed Tuesday evening for killing a young mother who frantically called 911 from her attacker's cellphone while tied up in his car.
Michael Lee King, 54, was pronounced dead at 6:13 p.m. following a three-drug injection at Florida State Prison near Starke. He had been convicted of first-degree murder, sexual battery, and kidnapping in the 2008 killing of Denise Amber Lee, 21.
The curtain to the death chamber went up at 6 p.m., the scheduled execution time, and King gave a nearly inaudible statement, its text relayed by Gov. Ron DeSantis office.
"Since finding Jesus in prison, I have tried to live as His disciple obeying the Two Great Commandments: To love God with all my heart, my mind and all my being, and to love my neighbor to include everyone — my family, Denise Lee's family, everyone in the gallery," as well as Catholic volunteers who visit the prison and "those on the team to end my life," he said.
King did not apologize or seek forgiveness. Meanwhile, a clergy member was at the foot of the gurney beside him.
As the drugs started flowing, King began breathing heavily, his body twitching. All movement ceased minutes later, and the warden shook King and yelled his name, but he did not respond. A medic subsequently pronounced him dead.
Victim could be heard begging for her life in 911 call made during crime
King took Lee to his home, where he bound and raped her, investigators said. Later that day, King drove to his cousin's house to borrow a flashlight, shovel and gas can, according to prosecutors. While Lee was bound in King's car, she managed to get King's cellphone and call 911. She can be heard on a recording of the call begging for her life so that she can see her husband and children again.
King eventually drove Lee to a remote area of North Port, where he shot her in the face and buried her, authorities said. A state trooper pulled King over a short time later because his 1994 green Chevrolet Camaro matched the description of another 911 call. A woman had heard screams coming from the vehicle while stopped at a traffic light and called police to report a possible child abduction.
Investigators later recovered Lee's hair and belongings from King's home and vehicle, authorities said.
Several months after her death, the Legislature unanimously passed the Denise Amber Lee Act, which provides better training for 911 operators. The Denise Amber Lee Foundation continues to promote training and raise public awareness nationwide.
Last week, the Florida Supreme Court denied appeals filed by King, whose attorneys argued that corrections officials had mismanaged the state's death penalty protocols and that he was denied due process by not having access to certain records.
The U.S. Supreme Court rejected King's final appeals Monday without comment.
Florida saw record 19 executions in 2025
King's execution is Florida's fourth scheduled for 2026, following a record 19 executions last year. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis oversaw more executions last year – a record 19 – than any Florida governor since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976.
A total of 47 people were executed in the U.S. in 2025. Florida led the way, while Alabama, South Carolina and Texas tied for second-most, with five each.
Two more Florida executions are scheduled for this year. James Aren Duckett, 68, is set to die on March 31, and Chadwick Scott Willacy, 58, is set to died April 21.
All Florida executions are carried out via lethal injection using a sedative, a paralytic and a drug that stops the heart, according to the Department of Corrections.