Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a death warrant for Michael King, 54, who will face execution on March 17 for the brutal 2008 murder of Denise Amber Lee, a 21-year-old mother of two children.

The Horrific Crime That Shocked Florida

On January 17, 2008, King, a plumber, abducted Lee from her home in what became one of Florida’s most disturbing criminal cases. Lee, whose father served as a Charlotte County Sheriff sergeant, endured unthinkable horrors during her final hours. King first took her to his residence, where he sexually assaulted her before continuing his violent crime spree.

The case took a heartbreaking turn when Lee managed to grab King’s cell phone and call 911 while trapped in his vehicle. Court records reveal that Lee could be heard crying and pleading to be saved so she could return to her husband and children. Despite multiple 911 calls from witnesses, including one woman who followed the vehicle and provided detailed location information, no officers were dispatched to help.

Justice Delayed But Not Denied

King drove Lee to a remote location where he shot her in the face and buried her body. He was convicted in 2009 of kidnapping, sexual battery, and first-degree murder. The Florida Supreme Court affirmed his death sentence in 2012, and the U.S. Supreme Court denied his petition for review. Attorney General James Uthmeier confirmed that King’s subsequent appeals in state and federal courts have all failed.

Legacy of Reform and Family Impact

Lee’s tragic death led to significant reforms in Florida’s emergency response system. The 2010 Denise Amber Lee Act established mandatory certification requirements for 911 dispatchers, including 208 hours of training and substance abuse verification. Lee’s son Noah, who was only two when his mother was murdered, told reporters that while the execution brings closure, her absence continues to impact major life moments. This marks the fourth death warrant DeSantis has signed in 2026, following Florida’s record-setting 19 executions in 2025.