A man convicted in the 2008 abduction and killing of a young mother is scheduled to be executed Tuesday in Florida, United States.
Execution scheduled at state prison
Michael Lee King, 54, is set to receive a lethal injection at Florida State Prison near Starke, Florida. He was sentenced to death in 2009 after being convicted of first-degree murder, kidnapping and sexual battery.
Details of the 2008 crime
According to court records, Denise Amber Lee, 21, was outside her home in North Port, Florida with her two young children in January 2008 when King abducted her.
Authorities said she was taken to the suspect’s residence, where she was restrained and assaulted. During the ordeal, Lee managed to use King’s cellphone to call emergency services, pleading for her life and expressing her desire to see her family again.
Investigators said King later drove her to a remote area, where she was fatally shot and buried.
Key evidence and arrest
Officials said a state trooper stopped King shortly after the incident because his vehicle matched descriptions provided by witnesses who reported hearing screams from a car.
Evidence recovered from his home and vehicle, including the victim’s belongings, further linked him to the crime.
Legal appeals denied
Recent appeals filed by King were rejected by the Florida Supreme Court, while the U.S. Supreme Court declined to intervene, clearing the way for the execution.
Case led to major law change
Following the case, lawmakers passed the Denise Amber Lee Act, aimed at improving training standards for 911 operators.
Advocacy efforts continue through the Denise Amber Lee Foundation, which focuses on emergency response awareness and education.
Florida executions and death penalty trends
Florida recorded a high number of executions in 2025, with officials continuing to enforce capital punishment through lethal injection protocols involving a sedative, paralytic and heart-stopping drug.
Governor Ron DeSantis oversaw a significant number of executions during that period, with additional executions already scheduled for 2026.